THEME: THE ZEAL OF ZACCHAEUS

📜```TEXT:LUKE 19:1-10```📜

📖```MEMORY VERSE: And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way" (LUKE 19:3, 4).

Zacchaeus, like many dubiously rich men today, was greedy, selfish and despised by his society. But, unlike many rich men today, he earnestly sought to meet Jesus. No price was too high for him to pay. Nothing could stop him, not even the handicap of his little stature amidst a thick crowd.

Imagine a millionaire today running, climbing up a tree and then climbing down at Christ's command in the full view of the common people! He wanted salvation desperately, and he obtained it.

However, it is not mere zeal that saved Zacchaeus. What saved him was the acceptance of his guilt, genuine sorrow for sin, faith in the Saviour and willingness to correct his past. These fuelled his zeal.

Learn from Zacchaeus that you must conquer your pride in order to be saved. Like him, you must seek the Lord passionately, repent of your sins fully and receive the Lord joyfully. There is no other way to salvation.

Zeal means the pursuit of a goal with great energy or enthusiasm. Zacchaeus directed his zeal wisely. The question is, "Are you as wise as he was"?

He wanted salvation desperately.

CHALLENGE: Nothing is worth seeking above salvation.

PRAYER: Lord, I need You more than life itself.