Grace Assembly : Acts of Grace

Luke 19:1-10 tells the story of Zacchaeus. The name “Zacchaeus” means “pure, clean, just”. But if ever there was an unjust and crooked man, it was Zacchaeus! Everybody knew he was “dirty” but Jesus called him “pure, righteous, clean and just.” Jesus looked deep into his heart and saw beyond his corruption and complexes and He called forth all the positive things in Zacchaeus.

God sees into our hearts and in the midst of us, there is righteousness. There is something good and of value inside of us and God calls it forth. So when God calls you by name and if it is a good name, a godly name, it is meant to be a blessing. It is meant to bring all that is inherent in your name out from you. He calls forth increase. He calls forth multiplication. He calls forth fruitfulness. He calls forth health, He calls forth peace, love and forgiveness. These are qualities that God has already put in you. It is in you and God is calling them out.

God now gives you the power and the ability so that you can say ‘no’ to sin. Before this you sinned because you were a sinner but now God gives you a choice. You can sin or choose not to sin.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17 NKJV)

When a man begins to walk in the new direction of the Lord – he is regenerated. There is also restitution. An ex-thief not only steals no more but he also returns that which he has stolen. There is a change that takes place in his mind, heart and attitude because he has heard the message of salvation. There is a change in his lifestyle because now, he is being regenerated.

Jesus looked at Zacchaeus and He said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly for today I must abide at your house.” Nobody would associate with Zacchaeus because nobody liked him, but the Lord said, “I’m coming to your house.” Zacchaeus was shocked. He was despised, yet the Lord wanted to go to his home.

God not only wants to see you. He not only wants to touch you and save you. He also wants to bring the good out of you and your family. He is deeply concerned about you. He says, “I want to come to your dwelling place and I am going to abide with you.”

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 him, and he with me. (Rev 3:20 NIV)

You see the reaction of the people around Zacchaeus as he came down from the tree and joyously received Jesus. The crowd murmured. There is always a murmuring, criticizing, complaining crowd around us that tries to hinder us from our experience with the Lord. “Why do you go to that church? Why did you become a Christian? Why did you stop praying to idols?” They will try to obstruct us from receiving the Lord totally.

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 NKJV)

There is joy when a sinner turns away from sin! Aren’t you glad that Jesus comes to the homes of sinners? We are all sinners but God says that He came to seek that which was lost.

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." (Luke 19:8 NKJV)

Once a corrupt tax collector, Zacchaeus experienced a change of mind, heart and attitude. This is transformation. This is regeneration - all things becoming new, old things have passed away. Zacchaeus turned away from his sinful ways – not only that – he committed to making right his past wrongs and mistakes. This not only is Conversion. This is Regeneration. This is Salvation.