Today, God has a word for you, especially if you are not saved. The greatest miracle that God has done for man is the miracle of salvation through Christ. Through Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, a way has been made for you to be reconciled back to God. Salvation is more important than the blessings of material wealth. The Bible says: What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his own soul? What benefit is it if you have everything-cars, houses, wives, children, money and at the end lose your soul to hell. Friend, make sure that you receive this miracle of salvation.
I like the story in Luke 19, the day that Jesus came to Zacchaeus’ home. Like Zacchaeus, do you want Jesus to be in your home? From verse 1, it says “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacchaeus which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.”…
Zacchaeus was a rich man who had everything, yet he wanted to meet Jesus and to know Him. But somehow he had an issue. Each time somebody seriously wants to meet with Jesus, there is always an issue. In the book of Acts, a highly placed government official wanted to hear about Jesus from Apostle Paul, but Elymas withstood him. There is always something the enemy tries to use to stop you from knowing Jesus. In the case of Zaccheus, it was his stature. Satan can use anything. He can use your husband, your wife, your father, your children or even your friends. He can even use your business.
The devil is a liar who knows how to set up similarities to stop you from knowing Jesus. The greatest person to know on earth is Jesus Christ because He is the only one that died and on the third day He rose from the dead. No other religious leader died and rose for you to be saved. For this reason, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father except by Him. Let nothing stop you from getting to Jesus.
I read the story of a religious leader who told his followers that when he dies, he will rise on the third day. Because of the highly demonized relationship with the devil, on the third day, he tried to rise but God sent thunder from heaven and tore him to pieces. Only Jesus who was sinless could rise again from the dead.
Jesus was without sin, but He had to take the sin of the world and went into the grave and into hell and paid the price for our salvation and rose from the dead that through Him we might be saved.
Zacchaeus wanted to know Jesus, but his stature was a limitation to him. What did he do? He climbed a tree. He told himself: Whatever it is going to take, I will do it. I wish you can still be like Zacchaeus – wanting to know the way to heaven; wanting to know how to get to God and how to make peace with Him because we are cut off from Him. Our sins have been washed away from God the creator and He possesses the heavens and the earth. I wish you can be like Zacchaeus asking: How do I find, how do I return to Him? Zacchaeus was determined to do anything to get to know Jesus.
Zacchaeus had to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus. He knew Jesus was going to pass by, and when Jesus came to where Zacchaeus was, He looked up and saw him and said to him: “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down for today I must eat at your house”.
Friends, today is the day of salvation, not tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late because you may never see tomorrow. Zacchaeus did not say tomorrow. He rushed down to meet Jesus.
“So he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it they all complained saying He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner”.
Jesus loves sinners. Are you a sinner? Jesus loves you, but does not love your sin. He knows your potential. He knows that when you give those sins to Him, He will deal with them and your real potential will show. Apart from going to heaven, you will be blessed right here on earth; and you will walk in power, victory, dominion and authority right here on earth. Jesus loves bad boys and bad girls because He can make them become good people. That is the same Jesus that I preach and write about – the friend of sinners.
Jesus was not religious because religious people will not go to the home of a man like Zacchaeus who was a dubious man, a con man. Jesus said: I know who you are, I know your heart, but I am coming to your place. When Jesus comes to you as He is coming right now through this message, you have to open your heart and receive Him. Forget about what people will think. It does not matter what they think. You may be a bad boy or a bad girl, but He knows your heart. He knows why you are doing what you are doing, and if you cry out to Him, He will have mercy and help you.
“Then Zacchaeus stood up and said to Him, Lord, look, I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken anything from anybody by false accusation, I restore four fold. And Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham. For the son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus is seeking, let Him find you; and let Him save you. That is the greatest thing that can happen to you – to enjoy the peace of God.
My brother and my sister, today, salvation has come to you. Receive this salvation joyfully and your life will never be the same. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is alive and real and brings with Him life. In Him is light and there is no darkness. Today is the day to be born again. Be bold about it.
Pray this prayer from your heart if you are ready for this great experience:
Heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I repent of my sins. Forgive me. Lord Jesus, come into my life, be my Lord, be my Savior and be my Master. From today, I give my heart to You. Save me, I believe You died for me and I believe you rose from the dead and I believe
You are coming back again. Thank You in Jesus name.
If you prayed that prayer, you have become a Christian. Three things you need to do:
1. Get a Bible and begin to read from the book of John.
2. Pray to God in the name of Jesus, He will answer you.
3. Look for a good Bible believing church and begin to attend. You will grow and begin to understand how the things of the spirit work.
NB: First published October 2012