Living in the SpiritSample

CHANGED IN HIS PRESENCE

INTRODUCTION

Zacchaeus was a small-sized Jew man who worked as the head of the tax collector.

Zacchaeus could be considered a successful person by the world's standards because he had position, wealth, and power. As the head of the tax collector, Zacchaeus also had many subordinates and other relationships with high-ranking government officials.

He was given the authority or power to collect taxes in the city of Jericho according to his discretion. At that time, Israel was under Roman imperialism. Usually, the tax collectors would collect a greater tax than the amount set by the Roman government, thus making the tax collector richer. Besides that, many people were afraid of tax collectors as tax collectors had power due to their work contracts with the Roman government. 

The Jews avoided Zacchaeus and considered him a "sinner" who worked for the Roman government. What's the point of having everything if you are shunned by everyone? Zacchaeus was a suffering man.

However, something happened to Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus experienced the power of change in his life when he had a personal encounter with Jesus.

SHARING

Today, we want to learn principles about the encounter with Jesus that can change our lives:

1. Seek or find His presence (Luke 19:4-5)

An encounter with Jesus happens when we seek His presence.

Even though Zacchaeus was successful in the eyes of the world, something was missing in his life. There was an emptiness deep within him. He realized that loss and looked for it. He was looking for it in the right person, namely in Jesus.

He was so eager to see Jesus. He wanted to see Jesus when Jesus entered the city of Jericho. However, there were some obstacles that he had to face to be able to meet Jesus:

• The first obstacle came from outside because of the crowd that prevented him from meeting Jesus.

• The second obstacle came from himself because his short stature made it difficult for him to see Jesus. However, all of these obstacles did not stop him from meeting Lord Jesus.

Perhaps we also face many obstacles and challenges while seeking the Lord. Let's imitate Zacchaeus, who took the initiative and was enthusiastic about seeking the Lord because the only One who could change us is Jesus.

When Zacchaeus managed to see Lord Jesus, Jesus said to him: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

The words spoken by Jesus were truly extraordinary!

Why? Because there was never a Jewish rabbi who looked at the tax collector in a friendly manner. A rabbi who saw a tax collector would usually criticize him for being seen as a sinner, but Jesus did not do that.

As Jesus cared for Zacchaeus, He also cares for all of us. We can find His presence when we want to spend time in fellowship with the Lord.

2. Experience joy (Luke 19:6)

An encounter with Jesus will make us experience joy.

When Zacchaeus saw that a rabbi called him and wanted to stay at his house, he obeyed and responded to His call. He immediately came down from the tree and took Lord Jesus to his house. Not only the door to his house was opened, but Zacchaeus' heart was also opened for the Lord. He did not only receive Jesus in his house but also in his heart. The presence of God filled the emptiness within him and gave joy to his heart. (Read Revelation 3:20).

Zacchaeus had found what he had been looking for to fill the emptiness within him. That day, Zacchaeus experienced true acceptance, love, joy, and peace from Lord Jesus.

"Jesus Christ knows the worst in you, even so, He is the one who loves you the most." - Aw Tozer

3. Experience renewal (Luke 19:8)

An encounter with Jesus will renew our lives because His presence fills us. That's what happened when Zacchaeus experienced an encounter with Jesus Christ. Zacchaeus experienced acceptance; there was a stream of God's love flowing over his life, which certainly awakened his life.

The most important change that occurred when Zacchaeus encountered Jesus was his conversion. Zacchaeus admitted that he was a sinner. It is not easy for a rich person to repent, but an encounter with God can break anyone's heart.

The next change happened when Zacchaeus, who previously only enriched himself and did not care about other people's troubles, was changed to become someone who cared for others. The encounter with God made Zacchaeus realize his sin, confess his sin, and leave his sin behind.

CLOSING

The Lord never leaves us, even though we are in a downturn. Sometimes this is a part of God's plan to shape us. Come and seek God in all opportunities because everything will be changed and renewed in His presence.

Hallelujah, amen.