You've probably read the two stories in Luke 18 of the rich ruler, and in Luke 19 of Zacchaeus, the "wee little man" who climbed up in a sycamore tree.
I never really saw the connection between these two stories until today.
Both men were rich, and neither had salvation. But some key differences can help us understand why one went away from his encounter with Jesus lost, and the other saved.
The rich ruler came to Jesus wanting to know how to get eternal life. He felt like he was a very righteous man, observing the law carefully since his youth. Jesus told him that he needed to sell all he had, give to the poor, and then follow Him. The man went away disappointed because he was very rich.
Zacchaeus was considered a very bad man who stole from the poor. But Zacchaeus was curious about Jesus and got as close as he could. Jesus then came to him and basically invited himself over to his house.
The response was incredible. Zacchaeus declared that he was going to do what the ruler would not, sell of his possessions and give to the poor, and make right any wrongs he had done. Jesus then said that "salvation has come to this house ... for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (19:9)
The difference between the two involves the approach and what held them. The ruler wanted something from Jesus, but was not willing to give what Jesus wanted, his heart. Zacchaeus just wanted Jesus and was willing to give anything to get Him.
In the end, it's not about what we have (or has us) but who we have (or has us).
Pastor Tom
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