Seen and Transformed by Chris Cannon

Luke 19:1-10 ESV

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus sees Zacchaeus up on a branch in a Sycamore tree and tells Zacchaeus that He is going to his house for a visit. Zacchaeus is overjoyed and excited that Jesus will visit him. Tax collectors were disliked, rightfully so. Most took more than what was due. The fact that Jesus would choose Zacchaeus speaks of His purpose in becoming a man. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. No one is too lost. Jesus sees Zacchaeus’ heart. He knows Zacchaeus and knows his heart is open and receptive.

Notice two things here.

Zacchaeus is seen

Zacchaeus is ready

Just as Jesus saw Zacchaeus in his desperate need for redemption, He sees us in our brokenness. We are not invisible to Him. When you are feeling unseen or unnoticed, know that God sees you. You matter to Him. You are not beyond restoration and repair.

Jesus knew Zaccheus was ready to receive him into his home and into his heart. Zacchaeus received salvation and forgiveness that day.

Zacchaeus is transformed.

After receiving Jesus into his home and His heart, Zacchaeus is moved to repentance and desires to give back half of what he owns to the poor and restore what he defrauded from the people fourfold. This is Zacchaeus’ response to the forgiveness he received. His heart is full of gratitude. He wants to make right what he had done wrong. Jesus didn’t ask that of him. Zacchaeus wanted to live up to the grace and forgiveness given him.

When we accept forgiveness for the sins we’ve committed, our actions and behavior should change. Our lives should reflect, just as in Zacchaeus’ life, the grace and mercy we have received.

Zacchaeus’ response to his salvation was immediate and evident in his actions. There was an outward change to an inward transaction.

Some behavior takes time to change. Transformation is a process. Scripture tells us in Philippians 2:12 ESV to work out our salvation.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

In my study bible app, it says:

“To work out our salvation is to work continually to bring something to fulfillment or completion. It is our responsibility to actively pursue obedience in the process of sanctification.”

Fear and trembling involves a healthy fear of offending God and requires a righteous awe and respect for Him.

Our lives are to reflect an inward change of heart. A heart that continually seeks after God and His righteousness. The way we behave and how we respond in life should reflect the grace we have received. It is a life-long process. We are not perfect people. We are working out our salvation. I am thankful that God knows this and that His grace is sufficient for when we fail.

We learn from Zacchaeus that God sees us and forgives us no matter what we have done, and changed behavior results from the forgiveness we receive.

The last verse, vs. 10, says:

“Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus came to save every person that will receive Him. Let’s respond to Him by daily working out our salvation!

May we reciprocate the grace received by living a life that is being transformed by the renewing of our minds and presenting our bodies

as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our Father. It is the least we can do and the best form of worship.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”