A True Son Of Abraham

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:9-10

ON THAT DAY when Jesus came through town, Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was. But up on his sycamore perch, he was surprised to discover that Jesus already knew who he was. Jesus was in hot pursuit of this one who was lost in the delusion of riches, this one whose greed brought financial ruin to those around him. Jesus told Zacchaeus that he simply had to be a guest in his home that day.

In Jesus’ time, eating with someone —going to his home and sharing a meal —was a sign of intimate fellowship. It communicated acceptance. So Jesus didn’t tell Zacchaeus that if he would clean up his life, he would accept him. Jesus reversed that. He offered Zacchaeus acceptance, and that acceptance worked its way through this tax collector in such a way that it changed him. The grace of Jesus shown around the table generated deep change in Zacchaeus’s heart. Zacchaeus knew that the law of Moses required someone who’d stolen from another to confess his sin and offer full restitution plus 20 percent to the wronged party. But Zacchaeus was not interested in merely living up to the rules. The grace of Jesus had done such a work in his heart that he vowed to return far more than was required.

The Pharisees, who took great pride in being the physical descendants of Abraham, thoroughly disapproved of Jesus’ choice of dinner companion. But while they grumbled at grace, Zacchaeus was made generous by grace. His desire and determination to live out a costly repentance demonstrated that the same righteousness that was credited to Abraham was becoming a reality in him. As a true son of Abraham, Zacchaeus transferred his confidence from his own financial stockpiles to Christ’s salvation riches.

Lord, we want to show ourselves to be true sons of Abraham by the way your gospel of grace is changing us from people who are consumed with taking care of ourselves into a family that joyfully and sacrificially gives. We don’t want to live as if we presume that our church membership and religious activity alone make us a part of your family. We want the salvation that has come to our home to change every person living here.