Jesus was coming to town and, as usual, crowds were drawn to him. A short man named Zacchaeus was determined to see Him, so he climbed a tree to get a better look. (Not every day does the richest and most despised man in town climb a tree to do anything, much less to see someone like Jesus!) Of course, Jesus saw him and knew he was searching for life’s meaning, something that money and power just can’t bring. So, Jesus walked over to the tree, looked up and told ole’ Zach that He needed to come to his house for lunch. Can you imagine how surprised he was?

Well, the crowds were appalled, because Zacchaeus was such a well-known and hated man. They considered him to be evil and rich from the money they had worked hard to earn. Yet, Jesus had other plans and meeting Jesus changed Zach’s life forever. He not only recognized that Jesus was the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, but he knew he needed to make restitution. So, he paid back all the people he had defrauded over the years and even gave money to the poor. What a change! He went from a desire to get, to a desire to give.

Jesus told the crowd that He had come to seek and save those who were spiritually lost, and Zacchaeus was definitely spiritually lost. That’s mighty good news for those of you who feel so far from God, for whom money or power has left you feeling empty and alone. Jesus came for people like Zach. And He came for people like you and like me. Let Jesus change your life forever – ask Him to be the Lord of your life – and your life will find true meaning.