Zacchaeus (Part III)

By Odon Bulamba (summary only)

Jesus came to that place and he told Zacchaeus to come down. Nobody told Jesus Zaccheus’ name. Jesus had never met Zacchaeus before but he called him by name. This is to tell you that God knows our name and know us very well. If you are not known by God – woe to you. Jesus didn’t call people from the crowd but he called the one who made an effort to climb the tree. This means that we must make an effort. If you just cross your arms and wait, be sure that Jesus will never call you. You must also make that step so when Jesus will lift up His eyes He will find you.

Zacchaeus who was a short man is now tall. If you don’t know the word of God and don’t know how to pray be sure that you can climb a tree and be higher than a lot of people. Do not be surprised if you preach one day and be better than others. Do not be discouraged because of the way others preach.

Ephesians chapter 6 will help us to know whether or not we are wearing the right clothes, clothes that enable us stay on the tree and not fall. When Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house to eat many people called Zacchaeus a sinner, but Jesus says that he is precious and has a great value. It means that Jesus needs people who are smaller. Jesus needs those who are thirsty to learn. Jesus needs those who can make up their minds.

I can tell you that Jesus will come into your family as he told Zacchaeus that salvation is not only for you but also for your whole household. Salvation was for the whole household. If your family is not saved it is now time for you to make a change. Pray for them to be delivered in the name of Jesus Christ.

Zacchaeus had riches but not good riches. He said whomever I stole money from I must give back four times as much and whomever I have offended I must confess four times more. If you do something wrong against Angela and you say that you want to follow Jesus, do not kneel down and ask God to forgive you because God will say, you don’t have a problem with Me but go and see Angela. He gave us an example in the book of Matthew. Someone wanted to give his offering and Jesus said, leave your offering and go first and make up with your brother, then come back and give your offering. If you want to give an offering you must confess first.

The offering that is most precious is our prayers. It means that before praying we must confess. If you have offended your brother go and say forgive me my brother. If you have done something against your sister go and say forgive me my sister. Although people were speaking against Zacchaeus and saying wrong things against him he wasn’t ashamed. He put shame aside and his goal was to see Jesus. As for us Christians we must put aside our shame to please our God and serve Him. You cannot serve God if you are ashamed.

For some Christians it is hard to say halleluiah to pagans and it is hard for some Christians to confess they are believers. When they confess they are Christian’s pagans are surprised because they didn’t expect it. Because of their behaviour they don’t show any light in this world. Someone talked to me about his classmate and in his conversation they realised that this classmate was a Christian. He couldn’t imagine it because his classmate lived like a worldly person. Maybe he hid his Christianity, maybe he thought if everybody knew he was a Christian they would laugh at him. As Christians we must put aside shame and show our identity. If the police ask you for your drivers licence you will not hesitate to give it, and when people see you they know you are a New Zealander because of your accent, so why doesn’t your accent show the world you are a Christian? Why doesn’t your identity show that you are a Christian? We must fix this up and God will be with us.

SUMMARY
- Make an effort to come close to God and to work hard for him
- Pray for your family and friends to find salvation
- Confess your sins before to pray (to the person you offended first and then to God)
- Don't be ashamed to declare you are a Christian

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