One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Curious: The One who seeks and saves the lost   

Some people who crossed Jesus’ path were not especially religious-minded, nor had some great need they wanted Him to fix. Like Zaccheus in Jericho, many were just curious. 

Who wouldn’t be? The first century world is small. The miracles Jesus did were huge. His claims to being Messiah, even bigger.

Zaccheus was Jericho’s least loved citizen. As a Roman IRS agent (a legal crook), he charged Jericho’s citizens double the tax and pocketed the difference. Maybe just to complete the persona, we’re told Zaccheus was really short. Picture Danny DeVito. 

So on that day in Jericho, news on the street was Jesus of Nazareth was on His way through and for all the reasons people flock to see a celebrity, the crowds gathered. Curious at all the fanfare, Zaccheus thought he’d get a look for himself at this self-proclaimed Messiah. Too bad the crowd kept him from the front. That’s when Zaccheus climbed a tree.

What would he see? A teacher who says profound things? A lunatic who thinks he’s God? A prophet out of history? Zaccheus prided himself on reading people (so he could rip them off.) He’d see about this Jesus. 

Picture the scene: Here comes Jesus. The crowd goes wild. Zaccheus cranes his neck for a glimpse. Then Jesus turns and looks his way. To everyone’s shock, Jesus walks right up to the sycamore tree where Zaccheus is perched. Well, finally, Zaccheus is going to get what he’s got coming. Give it to him, Jesus! Tell him not to rob us anymore! 

Instead, Jesus leans against the tree and says, Hey Zaccheus, c’mon down here. I want to spend the day with you. 

Without even thinking about how Jesus knew his name, Zaccheus was stunned by the honor. His flight out of the branches—pure comedy. 

The townspeople watched the curious scene of Jesus walking away with Zaccheus, His arm around his shoulders. They’d have given anything to know what the two men discussed all day. But for years after, the town talked about how later that day Zaccheus turned over half his bank account to the poor and paid back, four to one, all the cash he'd extorted from them. 

They never elected him mayor or anything, but on that day, Zaccheus captured the heart of the town. And it all goes back to what Jesus said when they emerged from Zaccheus’ house. “Today is salvation day in this home!” He should know since His mission was to “seek and save the lost.” And no one was more lost than Zaccheus. And no one could save better than Jesus.

And if it happened here in Jericho, then you can be sure it’s happening in your town, too. How about it?—have you been found? 

Tomorrow: One on one with the Shepherd