AND JESUS entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zachaeus, which was the chief amon 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. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacheaus, make haste, and come down: for the today I must abide at thy house.And he made haste and,came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it,they all murmured, saying, that he was gone to to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zachaeus stood and said unto the Lord;behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four fold. And Jesus told him, this day is salvation come to this house, for as much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is Lost. (Luke 19:1-10)
Zacheaus was a tax collector who had earned his riches through crooked ways. He used to harrase tax payers and demanded lost of money as bribes.He was disliked by many people and he was very unpopular. Zacheaus hear about Jesus and he looked for an opportunity to see him but became difficult for him for he was short. One day he was happy to hear that Jesus was passing near his home and he hurried to the roadside to have a climpse of him. He was disappointed when he got to the road for a huge crowd had already gone a head of him and formed a wall therefore making it difficult for him to see Jesus. He was not going to let that opportunity to pass him and he had to think quickly for a solution. He observed that Jesus was engaged in addressing the crowd, so he ran a head and climbed a tree so as to have a good view of him. People who saw wondered what the tax man was doing on top of a tree. A rich man climbing a tree? it looked weard. But Zachaeus was not bothered, he knew the desire of his heart, he wanted to have a look at Jesus even if he will not notice him. He was going to be satisfied even if he saw him passing under need the tree.
When Jesus arrived where Zachaeus was, he stopped for a while as he speak to people, then he looked up the tree and asked Zachaeus to climb down for he was going to be his guest that day. It is our duty to seek Jesus every day. Zachaeus desired to meet Jesus and he did the unusual thing in order to see Jesus. As a result of his hard work to look for the Lord he went with Jesus to his home that day.
Many people murmured and complained bitterly when Jesus went to Zachaeus home.But Zachaeus the tax collector had repented, he pledged to pay back four times to those he had robbed. As human beings we commit sin habitually and we need to repent and seek forgiveness from God. Jesus told Zachaeus that Salvation had reached his home that day adding that he came to seek the lost (Ezek 34:16).
The Maasai people keep livestock. They rear sheep and they look after their heards with dedication and determination. Whenever there is a lot of sun or during a rainy season they patiently look after their animals and with great patients and with love.They saveguard their animals from wild animals in the savannah such as lions, cheetah, hynas etc.They love their flock and take care of them. When one of the sheep get lost, they look for it and would not stop until they find it. Jesus the good shepheard came to look for the lost sheep (Isaih 40:11) A good shepherd looks after the heards. All those saved must keep their faith to ensure they live a righteous life. Seek the Lord always and live! (Timothy 1:15,16)
HOPE MINISTRIES WORLD IS TODAY'S VOICE OF HOPE TO THE WORLD. WE URGE PEOPLE TO COME TO JESUS AND RENEW THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD! IT IS TIME THE WORLD TURN BACK TO GOD OUR SOURCE OF HOPE.
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