BIBLE LESSON

“And Jesus said to him, `Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.' “— Luke 19:9

Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost. When Jesus sought, saw and saved Zacchaeus, who was looking for Jesus, He invited himself to Zacchaeus' house, and after hearing Zacchaeus' speech, Jesus declared that salvation had come to his house. Zacchaeus' new life would change his family and the relationship each one would have with God and one another through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is salvation, because He saves believers from perishing and gives them eternal live.

Consider the difference salvation made in Zacchaeus' life. First, when Jesus gave Zacchaeus a command, he obeyed Jesus immediately. The Bible shows Jesus' disciples obeying Him immediately. Obedience to Jesus does not save someone, but the effort to obey Jesus immediately is a sign that Jesus has saved someone. Second, Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus into his home and heart. One sign of a saving relationship with Jesus is joyfulness — the outward expression of an inward happiness that Jesus gives those who know Him. Third, Zacchaeus resolved to help the poor by giving them half of all he possessed. Salvation always leads to a loving concern for the physically and spiritually needy, and a willingness to share and help them with what one has received from God. Fourth, Zacchaeus resolved to obey the moral law in the Bible and make restitution if he had cheated anyone. Because Zacchaeus loved Jesus, he wanted to obey all of God's word. After others saw Zacchaeus' response, Jesus explained that Zacchaeus had acted and obeyed in faith as “a son of Abraham.”