"Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord,...'If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will restore it fourfold.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house... For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost'" (Luke 19: 8-10).
As a Jew, Zacchaeus had heard the Old Testament laws and the promises of the coming Messiah. But as a tax collector, he cheated and stole from people to fatten his pockets. He was hated and rejected by his people, but not by Jesus. Jesus sought him out. Zacchaeus didn't ask Jesus to come. Jesus invited Himself and brought His Word of salvation.
Convicted of his sin, Zacchaeus confessed those sins. That very day, Jesus brought faith, repentance, and salvation to Zacchaeus and his household. No waiting, no becoming good first. Zacchaeus was forgiven on the spot.
Like Zacchaeus, we are covered with sin and repent of it with sorrowful hearts. As with Zacchaeus, Jesus removes our sins and gives us salvation mercies on the spot. Like Zacchaeus', our renewed hearts rejoice in Jesus' gift of saving grace. He hears our heartfelt repentance, and He's eager to grant us daily forgiveness and newness of life. A contrite heart He will not despise.
Turn over to Jesus, all your shames and failures. He knows them anyway, but He wants you to know them and confess them! Then lay hold of your forgiveness by faith! Look to His cross
, for on it He has secured your eternal salvation. Live each moment of every day in your forgiveness!
-Dale
