Because he was short in stature he was quickly lost in a crowd. He did not belong in the ranks of those who strode the preaching platform of the brotherhood, but nevertheless he was seen of God as a son who stood tall amongst those who served in his household. The young men following the pattern of their parents attended the Sunday evening meetings regularly but there were those idle moments that would follow the close of the service. They would take to the streets, spend time in a restaurant, or even a show if conscience would allow it. The older brother saw the danger in all this, and the words of the preacher being lost in the closing hours of that day. On behalf of his sister wife a regular invitation to their home was made, to sit around the piano, sing a few favorite hymns, talk about the things spoken from the platform. Above all, to keep company with those who tabernacled with the King of Kings. This house did not have the splendor that comes with those rich in this life but they were willing to share with strangers the pearl of great price that they had been given to treasure. With his wife they had learnt well, that to open the door is to “entertain angels unaware.” Responding like Zacchaeus so many years ago when Jesus said to him, “today I must abide in your house.” This is the work committed to those who have been adopted into the Royal family of God.
Three Events Recorded to Exhort Us. . .
In that beautiful nineteenth chapter of Luke, three events in the life of Jesus are given for us by way of exhortation. The theme being, “Make ready a house for the Lord.” Zacchaeus, though a Jew, was a tax collector and because of his profession was hated by his fellowmen. Nevertheless he tried to order his life by the Law that had been given, that his life might be acceptable unto the God on High. He had come to know of the Messiah that would appear to Israel and so
the desire burnt within him to see him face to face one day. He was prepared for that moment and naturally when he heard of his visit to Jericho he made haste to be there to see him. Being short of stature he knew that he would be lost in the crowds, and to see Jesus he must. So we are told, “he ran before, and climbed into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way.” He was not alone for others had sought the high places to see this Jesus from Nazareth. Yet Zacchaeus was taller than all of them in faith and great desire to see the Messiah. Jesus seeing him and more so the intent of his heart passed under the tree and said to Zacchaeus, “make haste and come down: for today I must abide at thy house.” Almost falling out of the tree he half walked, half ran before Jesus showing him the way to his house. We would like to think that his house was already set in order for such a guest. No excuses necessary, that some tidying up must be done, a few things hidden that Jesus would not approve of. Maybe tomorrow would be more convenient. No, such a privilege may not pass this way again.
Would We Welcome Jesus to our House?
So we ask ourselves the same question, if Jesus came to my house would we be ready to entertain him at any hour of the day? Or would there be embarrassing excuses that it is not convenient right now. Maybe in a few days, when we can remove certain magazines, the T.V. shows we like to watch will not be on. We do feel a little tired right now, so some other time would do. Maybe angels only pass this way but once and we have missed the opportunity to entertain them.
Zacchaeus had to learn that at this time Jesus could not abide for long in his house. There was other work for him to do, other homes to visit, and in time the House of his Father to make ready for the redeemed of the Lord that would enter therein for eternity. Jesus must depart now, but the new disciple had to learn that there would be other guests who would like to be a part of his house.
In the sadness of leaving, Jesus seized the opportunity to instruct this new disciple and others in generations to come a lesson. Jesus told them the parable of a nobleman who went into a far country to receive a Kingdom and then return. During his absence he expected his servants to care for his house, making it an abode where people would desire to visit and become residents. To achieve this goal they had been entrusted with silver, the redemptive money. For those who belong to the House of God they have been redeemed not with silver and gold but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Redeemed from the bondage of sin but called on again to be slaves, or servants but now to their new Master even Jesus Christ. With the Master’s absence we are told in the parable that each servant was given a pound. They were called on to invest it wisely so when their Master returned he might rejoice with them in the riches gained. That pound or redemptive power gains its greatest return in two locations.
- Our homes where we care for our families.
- The Ecclesia where the family of God is cared for.
Do our children sense and know the “Unseen Guest” at every mealtime, conversation between parents and activities in that home ? Are they exposed to his presence and sound teaching with the Living Word open for readings each day? Hearing often the prayer of thanksgiving, the appeal on high for their Master to come unto his own and not the idle gossip concerning others that can close the door of the House of God to those who become a part of such destructive practice. Does the stranger feel a warm welcome and when departing know that they have been with those who are friends of Jesus?
Peter calls them different people, strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Why not be like them, for they are citizens of another age, waiting for a city to be built whose Builder and Maker is God. Did the redemptive power that was felt, while among them cause them to not leave any stone unturned before they learnt more of these people? Should they be persuaded to enter the Ecclesia of God with that warmth and sincereness to be amplified by a crowd of those who have met to worship their Heavenly Father on high ? Or will their new found love be shattered quickly by the winds of lukewarmness brought on by the clouds of strife and unrest that would rob the Master of the House of the riches that should be his when he returns?
Leaving the house belonging to Zacchaeus Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem. “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen: Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”
There were those at his coming to the Holy City waiting and ready with rejoicing words of praise, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
There Were Some Waitng For Jesus
Such joy was quickly turned to tears, weeping over the city for he knew then there were those who would change his Father’s house into a den of thieves. We read, that when he came into the temple he found those who had been invested with the oracles of God heaping to themselves silver and gold in their misuse of the house that belonged to his Father. So much riches but capable of only buying a grave for a poor man in the sight of the Creator. With the voice of the Judge appointed he swept the place with a cry, “My house is the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”
‘We have all scaled high places to see Jesus in the Way. Coming to us he has asked that he might abide in our house for a short period of time. When he returns will that door be opened to him, the house clearly lit up with the light of the Word. A house that is filled with those who meet at the table as often as possible that who they might remember their Master who has gone but will return even as promised of the angels.
Or will the angels task be fruitless, unable to find the house where Jesus once visited and where disciples once resided because now it is covered over in thistles and brambles, the undergrowth of the things that belong to this life. Now is the season for spring cleaning, to make ready a house for our Lord.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One