“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus.” (Luke 19:1-2)
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
As Jesus was “passing through”, this was simply a ‘chance’ encounter between Zacchaeus and Jesus. Yet in reality this was a God-encounter since Jesus clearly knew exactly who Zacchaeus was and precisely where he was hiding. Zacchaeus “wanted to see who Jesus was” (Lk.19:3) but Jesus wanted to save Zacchaeus (Lk.19:10). So, Jesus essentially invites Himself into Zacchaeus’ home. Though Jesus entered Zacchaeus’ home as “guest” (Lk.19:6f), He emerged as Lord. Luke has obviously given us a truncated, time-compressed and highly abbreviated record of this encounter. Longer and deeper conversations must have place between Jesus and Zacchaeus than we have in our bibles. As a result, the “sinner” (Lk.19:7) became “a son of Abraham” (Lk.19:9). Everything changes for Zacchaeus when Jesus comes into his life and home. Whenever Jesus enters a home or a heart nothing is ever the same again. Whatever is going on in your life just now, look out for the passing Lord, listen for His voice, and let Him in.