April 5, 2024

How shocked do you think Zacchaeus was when Jesus called to him by name? I mean, Jesus was the star of the parade. He was the reason Zacchaeus was there. It was Jesus’ popularity that caused Zacchaeus to run ahead and climb a tree to begin with. EVERYONE knew Jesus. But who was Zacchaeus?
He was a misfit. He was a scoundrel. He was one of those turncoat Jews who worked for the Romans and extorted money from his own people. Interestingly enough, the name Zacchaeus means “pure” or “innocent.” But Zacchaeus was anything but. My guess is that the people who knew Zacchaeus’ name most likely called him other names. Names we can’t mention in a devotional. He probably spent much of his time alone—alienated even from his own family. Nobody wanted to know him.
But Jesus did. Jesus knew who he was. Jesus knew everything that Zacchaeus had done. Jesus knew all the dirt—even the dirt no one else knew about. But Jesus knew more. He knew Zacchaeus’ pain. He knew Zacchaeus’ loneliness. He knew how empty Zacchaeus’ rich life was and how barren his soul was. But he also knew that Zacchaeus was searching. And He knew that HE was what Zacchaeus was searching for!
Jesus knows YOU by name, too. He knows who you are. He knows everything you’ve done. He’s fully aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly of your life. Jesus knows you better than anyone else does. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your darkest thoughts, and He knows your deepest needs. He knows that He is who YOU are looking for as well.
So take a moment today and listen. Find a place where you can quiet your heart and open your mind. As you do, don’t be surprised if you hear the voice of Jesus speaking to you. He wants you to know how much you're loved, no matter what kind of rejection you’ve experienced. He wants you to know that you can be forgiven, no matter how horrible the sins of your past. He wants you to know that regardless of how others feel about you or even how you feel about yourself, He is for you and not against you. He wants to help you, heal you, and lead you. He’s been looking for you longer than you have been looking for Him. He knows you by name. That’s God’s Word for you today