To Seek and Save the Lost (Luke 19:10)

The Miracle of Salvation yes, our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to seek and save the lost. The Gospel of Luke 19:1–10 clearly explains how Jesus took a sinner, who was lost, and led him into eternal life. Every day of Jesus’ life on this earth — His movements, His journeys, His works — all had one great purpose: to save sinners and make them holy, showing them the way to heaven.

It is true that wicked people deserve hell, but the Bible — the most holy and precious book — teaches us that even the worst sinner, if he truly repents and comes to Jesus, will receive eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. During His time on earth, many wicked people, people filled with sin, people controlled by demons, and people with terrible habits came to Jesus. He transformed their lives, made them heirs of heaven, and sent them back with great hope.

Jericho – A Picture of This World

This event happened in Jericho, a real town. One day, as Jesus was traveling on His way to Jerusalem, He came to Jericho with a special purpose.

Geographically, Jericho was a low valley town (Deuteronomy 34:3). In Luke 10:30 it says, “A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” Jesus went down to Jericho because there was a sinner who needed Him.

The Bible tells us that Jericho was:

A cursed city (Joshua 6:17, 26)

A city where anyone who tried to rebuild it would face death (1 Kings 16:24)

A city where Rahab, the harlot, once lived (Joshua 6:1)

A place filled with thieves and robbers (Luke 10:30)

A place where blind people begged at the gate (Luke 18:35)

A city where tax collectors and sinners lived (Luke 19:7)

A place priests and Levites often passed through (Luke 10:31–32)

Jericho had no place for God’s people or God’s work. Spiritually, Jericho represents this sinful world. And just like He came into Jericho, the Holy God sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into this wicked world. His purpose was to take the lost into eternal life. Jesus placed His holy feet in this sinful world and taught about heaven, repentance, and the danger of hell. Through His miracles and teachings, many responded, repented, confessed, and experienced new birth.

Zacchaeus -The Sinner

In Jericho lived a man named Zacchaeus. Though he was a Jew, he worked for the Roman government as a chief tax collector. Because of this, Jews hated him, and Romans despised him. In those days, tax collectors were treated like sinners, harlots, and outcasts (Matthew 9:11; 18:17; 21:31).

Miracle of Salvation in a Sinner’s Life

Zacchaeus had a great desire to see Jesus (Luke 19:2). The Bible says, “Look to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22). Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus when he heard He was passing through his town. For a sinner to receive salvation, he must take at least one step toward Jesus. The Bible assures us: “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:35).

Zacchaeus Experiences the Miracle of Salvation

Because Zacchaeus was short, he could not see over the crowd. The people blocked him. In the same way, in this world, money, property, relatives, friends, habits, and traditions often block sinners from seeing Jesus. But Zacchaeus did not give up. He ran ahead, climbed a tree, and waited to see Jesus (Luke 19:3–4). And he sought to see who Jesus he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and called Zacchaeus by name: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly.” This shows the greatness of Jesus — He knows every sinner by name. No one can hide from Him. Everyone in Jericho knew Zacchaeus was a sinner (Luke 19:7), but no one could take him to God. Only Jesus, the Holy One, could call him personally. The Bible teaches us that the whole world is full of sin (Mark 7:21–22; 2 Timothy 3:1–5).

The Message from Zacchaeus’ Life

Zacchaeus was not the only sinner. The Bible says: “There is no one who does not sin” (2 Chronicles 6:36), “There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:23), “There is none who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3).

Yet, in the sinful city of Jericho, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus (Luke 19:3). Even though he was wealthy, he ran like a desperate man because he knew that if Jesus passed by, there would be no other chance for forgiveness. He was ready to face shame because of his strong desire for salvation. Jesus saw his heart and called him by name.

The people murmured, “How can Jesus stay with such a sinner?” But Jesus loved Zacchaeus. He came into his house and brought salvation. What a wonderful Miracle of Salvation.

Zacchaeus Becomes Righteous

When Jesus entered Zacchaeus’ house, he immediately welcomed Him with obedience. He confessed his sins openly, promised to repay the poor, and correct the wrongs he had done. Seeing this, Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

From that day, Zacchaeus’ house had salvation. The Bible tells us that even today, Jesus knocks at the hearts of many, but many refuse. Zacchaeus, however, opened his heart and received Him.

God’s Plan of Salvation

The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That is why today is the right time to receive the miracle of salvation. The Bible says, “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). And again, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Dear friend, do not neglect this great miracle of salvation (How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him Hebrews 2:3). Accept Jesus today, and you too will be saved.