“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV
Zaccheus worked as chief tax collector for the Roman government. His profession caused him to be despised by his fellow Jews. When Jesus sought him out and asked to visit his home, the crowd was dismayed. The Lord was associating with one whose conduct made him a sinner in their eyes. The Saviour responded with the words of today’s reading. The word “lost” is a biblical term used to describe the spiritual situation of everyone who has yet to receive Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour. In this state, a person is separated from God. There is physical life but no spiritual connection to the heavenly Father. In that condition, the mind is blind to the truth of God. Lost doesn’t have to do with physical location; it speaks instead of spiritual deadness (Ephesians 2:1). Our sinfulness was established through the disobedient action of the first human being, Adam. When he supported Eve’s plan and disobeyed God, his nature became one of rebellion, and all future generations have inherited his sin nature. We are born into this world with a nature bent away from God (Romans 5:12). Zaccheus was a sinner because of his lost condition, not because of his greedy profession. Good behaviour doesn’t make us a Christian, nor does bad conduct disqualify us. The tax collector received salvation through faith in Jesus. When we receive Christ as Saviour, we too, like Zaccheus, are no longer lost; we are made spiritually alive. Hallelujah!
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, In You I am no longer lost but spiritually alive.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
When we received You, Lord Jesus Christ, as our Saviour and Lord, we, like Zaccheus, were no longer lost; we have been made spiritually alive in You. Hallelujah! Amen
I.B.R.A. Readings
3 John 1:1-4
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