Transforming LonelinessSample

Section Two: Jesus’s Very Presence Transforms Us

Jesus stopped right in front of the sycamore tree. He looked up at the hated tax collector and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5 NIV).

Zacchaeus was absolutely amazed that Jesus not only saw him but knew his name! He climbed right down and “received Him gladly.” He was in awe to have the “celebrity of the day” notice him and, better yet, to have Him want to come home with him. What an honor.

You can imagine how the crowd responded. Eyebrows must have shot up. Jaws dropped open. Of all the people in town whom Jesus might have honored with a visit, he was choosing Zacchaeus? The miserable thieving tax collector? The crowd grumbled about Jesus going to a sinner’s house. How dare He!

But what happens next is striking. Something began to happen inside Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus stopped, turned to Jesus, and said, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much” (v. 8).

Such is the power of the friendship of Jesus. Jesus chose him. He stopped and called him by name. He wanted to stay at his home. No conditions—Jesus was offering His friendship to Zacchaeus exactly as he was. What was it like for a despised man, marginalized and condemned by the crowd, to be noticed and singled out and chosen by Jesus? Usually, if anyone paid attention to him, it was negative attention.

Like the Grinch, Zacchaeus’s heart grew three sizes that day! Zacchaeus recognized Jesus as Lord—not just as a rabbi. He was Lord. Over Zacchaeus and his money. Zacchaeus was so overwhelmed he decided to make things right—even giving back four times as much as he’d taken. That decision was costly to Zacchaeus.

Jesus then announced, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (vv. 9–10 NIV).

Jesus saw his changed heart and made the declaration that Zacchaeus was part of God’s family. He belonged. Jesus valued him.

We are all Zacchaeus. Undeserving. Marred by our sin. “Small” compared to the greatness of God. And lonely—longing to be seen, to be chosen, to be known, to belong, and to be valued. And just as Jesus did for Zacchaeus, Jesus sees us, chooses us, knows us, claims us as belonging to His family, and values us.

I believe there is no better news for the lonely than that!

Zacchaeus’s experience with Jesus paints the picture for us. Notice that he didn’t reach up or reach out until Jesus reached into him. Jesus saw him, then chose him, then knew him. And because of that, Zacchaeus was transformed.

Questions:

1. Welcoming someone into your home is personal and intimate. Identify two or three new and fresh ways that you could invite Jesus into a more personal or intimate relationship with you.

2. Are there certain areas of your life that you keep separate from Jesus? What are they? Are you willing to invite Him into those areas?

3. Why do you believe that Zacchaeus was so instantly transformed? What transformation do you believe that Jesus is eager to make in your life?