It’s interesting to think about the story of Zacchaeus and how he was a seemingly unlikely fellow to have such a dramatic transformation. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Before he met Jesus, Zacchaeus was influenced by something inferior to the truth. That influence created a pattern of life that came with purpose and vision that inspired action. But there was something about Jesus that made Zacchaeus want to see him so bad that he climbed a tree.
It’s like Zacchaeus was drawn to the desire to be made whole. His previous actions were motivated by a counterfeit way of thinking and feeling. Zacchaeus caught a whiff of the legit and for real source of life. It affects you, when you taste and see who God really is. When you get a glimpse of the you, you were created to be, you can’t continue in the old way of things. These new ideas create a desire for a future that is way bigger and more glorious than any past or present situation, circumstance or experience.
All Zacchaeus needed to bring about change, was an idea that was bigger than his past and bigger than his present life. All you need to make a change is a good enough reason.
Jesus came to heal the broken and people were often confused by this. In Luke 19:5-8 is says,
“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
The people grumbled and said, “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner.” The people were on the outside whining and crying. But meanwhile, inside Zacchaeus’ life was taking a massive direction change. Jesus’ response to Zacchaeus was, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Maybe when you know you are lost it’s easier to know when you are found. Opposed to when you think you are found, when you are actually lost.