5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. (Luke 19:5-6 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
What an instance is here of Christ’s preventing grace and mercy! Zaccheus climbs up into the sycamore to see Jesus. Jesus first sees him; little did Zaccheus think, that Jesus should cast up his eyes to him: Christ’s looks are converting looks; there went a divine power along with them, to change the heart of him who he looked upon; he that could heal a disease by the hem of his garment, could change a heart with the glance of his eye.
Observe farther, Christ does not only note, but name Zaccheus: He bids him come down, for he must abide at his house: what a sweet familiarity was here! Though the distance be infinitely great between our Saviour and ourselves, yet he treats us not with a majestic stateliness, but with a gracious affability.
Some note, that Zaccheus was the first man we read of, to whose house Christ invited himself.
Observe lastly, with what speed Zaccheus hastens down, and with what alacrity he entertains our Saviour; curiosity carried him up, but love brings him down, and he entertains Christ joyfully: but alas, it was but for a few hours. Lord! How great is the happiness of that man that receives and entertains thee, not for a day or a year, or for millions of years, but for everlasting ages! Oh let us welcome thee into our hearts by faith, while we are here on earth, and then thou will make us welcome with thyself everlastingly in thy kingdom.
BURKITT | Lu 19:1-2 | Lu 19:3-4 | Lu 19:5-6 | Lu 19:7 | Lu 19:8 | Lu 19:9 | Lu 19:10 | Lu 19:11-27 | Lu 19:28-40 | Lu 19:41 | Lu 19:42 | Lu 19:43-44 | Lu 19:45-48 |