Day 1 - Zacchaeus: A Curious Man
Scripture Reading: (Luke 19:1-10) 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 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.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 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.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Zacchaeus was a man who had what many people spend their entire lives chasing. He had wealth, influence, and success. Yet despite all he possessed, something was missing. When Jesus came through Jericho, Zacchaeus became determined to see Him. Being short in stature and unable to see over the crowd, he climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.
What happened next changed his life forever.
Jesus stopped beneath the tree, looked up, called Zacchaeus by name, and invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house. The crowd was shocked. Why would Jesus choose to spend time with a tax collector, a man known for greed, corruption, and betrayal? Yet Jesus saw what others could not. While everyone else saw a sinner, Jesus saw a man in need of grace.
One of the most encouraging truths in this story is that Zacchaeus didn't clean himself up before Jesus met with him. Jesus pursued him while he was still far from God. That same truth applies to us today. Jesus doesn't wait for us to get our lives together before inviting us into a relationship with Him.
As men, we often think growth happens through trying harder. But transformation begins by drawing nearer to Jesus. Scripture, prayer, and fellowship are some of the primary ways we intentionally place ourselves where Jesus often meets and transforms us.
As we prepare for the Act Like Men Conference, let's begin where every godly man must begin - not with behavior modification, but with pursuing Jesus.
Reflection:
Which of these do I need to engage in more intentionally right now - Scripture, prayer, or fellowship?
Am I pursuing Jesus with the same determination Zacchaeus showed when he climbed the tree?
Prayer: Lord, draw me near to You and as You do, change me.