“Today, Salvation has come to your house” Jesus to Zaccheaus (Luke 19:9)

What would it take to hear those words from Jesus?
Have you heard those words from Him?

Zaccheaus is a Jew, a Chief Tax Collector for Rome and is hated by most people. He has admittedly swindled people by over taxing them. His own people have a disdain for him because his allegiance is to Rome. Only Luke tells us this story:

Luke 19:1-10 KJV
[1] And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. [3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. [4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way . [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it , they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

He wants to get a glimpse of Jesus as He comes through town. Why? Because God has placed it in his heart. We must always remember that our life begins with God, our salvation is God wooing us first. Don’t ever think that you are so smart as to realize your need for a Savior.

We must also remember that Zaccheaus was a Jew. He knew scripture. He had heard of the coming Messiah. Just a day or so, or maybe the same day, (He is nigh unto Jericho)we read in chapter 18, Jesus comes through a town and tells a certain ruler “ it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man (Zacchaeus was a rich man) to go to heaven.” The disciples ask Jesus: “who can be saved”
His response: “ with man it is impossible, but with God anything is impossible.

i wonder if Zaccheaus heard of this.

Luke 18:25-27 KJV
[25] For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [26] And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? [27] And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Just before Jesus enters Jericho, He responds to a blind man that is calling out to Him. Jesus asks him what he wants and the blind mind answers: “my sight Lord”. Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath healed thee.

Salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house because Jesus had come to Zacchaeus’s house!!! Jesus is Salvation! And Jesus goes on to say that Zacchaeus is a Jew, a son of Abraham. That’s who Jesus came to save right ? The house of Israel, Jews. A Jew had accepted the Messiah! What? That’s all. He was not saved, that required blood (after the cross) but salvation which is Jesus had come to his house. He was still under the Jewish law which was to give back 4 times what he had taken. As Abraham believed and it was counted unto him righteousness, Zacchaeus believed God that this was the Messiah who came to take away the  sins of the world. He believed God that Jesus was salvation. He believed God and it was counted righteousness unto him. He was a Jew and he had done what was required under the law. Christ had not taken his sins away, the new covenant promise which required blood was a few days away when grace would be entered in by the death of The perfect lamb., and the law will be fulfilled. The new covenant had to begin with blood.
He was a lost Jew, remember that’s who Christ came to save but was rejected by his own. (John 1: 11) Zacchaeus wanted salvation, he wanted to see Jesus and God put it right there in front of him, just as he will for you and I.
Think about it. We were all lost before Christ in need of rescuing.
This story is a beautiful example of what Christ does for the world. What He is going into Jerusalem to do. It’s a beautiful example of what will save us: faith in the finished work of the cross, not religion. Not restitution.
After the cross Jesus says to everyone: today I (salvation) must come to your house, but not for a visit, I and the father will come to ABIDE, (John 14:23) to live, not in a tent made with human hands but in you, the tent made without human hands. Paul tells us, we the BELIEVERS : do you not know you are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

My friends, after the cross, if we believe that Christ is who he says He is, we are saved, born again, become His children (John 1:12)

The blood of Jesus satisfied the sin debt of man, once and for all, past, present and future. (Hebrews 10:10)

He promises never to leave us, or forsake us, we are sealed right then and there by the Holy Spirit. Religion tells us what we have to do and grace tells us, assures us by the Holy Spirit, it’s all about what Christ has done.

He now lives in you because you B E L I E V E!!!!!!!!
He is now your life. You can’t be unborn of you earthly father and now you can not be unborn of your Heavenly Father. You have a new identity, a child of God

Once again, religion rears it’s ugly head as seminarians and learned theologians attempt to burden us with “yeah buts”

Religion would say salvation came to Zacchaeus because of his restitution.
I kid you not, I heard it preached Sunday that way and got up and walked out.
I’m not here to bash the PhD, just to point out how theologians continue to take scripture out of context for the purpose of religious doctrine they must hold fast to because of their denominational training. He went on to say that it’s not about a belief or system of beliefs? What? Watch this: when Jesus was asked what is the will of God? Jesus responded “John 6:40 KJV
[40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Also John 6:28-29 KJV
[28] Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? [29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent.
This is Jesus answering the greatest questions we have!!!!!

What must you do?

Believe. When we do, Christ moves in and we are saved for good works which GOD will do through us.

What would it take for salvation to come to your house?

Where were you when He came by? The good news is as long as you’re  alive, He never stops coming by.  Watch and listen for him.  He loves you and wants you to live with Him forever.

Answer: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and  be saved!!!!!!!!

SINNER’S PULPIt
Come in a sinner, leave a saint.