Rev. A.J. Ogden

Most of you know the story of Zaccheus, the tax collector and a publican who climbed a tree to see Jesus. The Bible says he sought to see Jesus where he was, but could not for the press or crowd. But not to be out done, he ran and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. Read Luke 19:1-10. When Jesus came right under that tree he said to him, “Come down for today I must abide at thy house.”

Can you imagine the Savior of the world wanting to dwell within the tax collector and abide in his home? Well, it was true! The vilest old sinner on earth can experience salvation in Jesus just as Zaccheus did!

When Jesus walked under that tree to see that seeking sinner, he extended him an invitation to salvation. Luke 19:5, “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said unto him; “Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” To express it another way, I think Jesus was saying, “Let me come, take control of your house and make it a real home.”

The little man responded to that heavenly invitation by dropping down out of a tree into the arms of eternal salvation. Scripture tells us he was never the same, for he went about giving money back to people he had stolen from. Jesus said unto him, “This day is salvation come to this house.”

The word of God says in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” If you are lost today you could drop down from your tree of false pride, jealousy, selfishness, and all the sins of this world into the arms of Jesus. He would forgive you if you are really sincere. Why don’t you?

As I drive around I see some beautiful houses, some that may cost a million, but some are not homes because Jesus has been locked out!