Jesus Calls You By Name

No Longer Hiding

Reading : Luke 19:1–10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10

Lent reminds us that the first movement in salvation is always God’s. In Luke 19:1–10, Zacchaeus seems to be seeking Jesus, but behind that human curiosity stands the deeper reality that Jesus is already seeking him. Zacchaeus hides in a sycamore tree, separated by shame, wealth, and the disapproval of the crowd. Yet Christ stops, looks up, calls him by name, and says, “I must stay at your house today.” This is the heart of the gospel: not only that we long for God, but that God’s love is forever seeking communion with us. Through Ezekiel, the Lord declares, “As a shepherd seeks out his flock… so will I seek out my sheep” (Ezekiel 34:12), and again, “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away” (Ezekiel 34:16). Zacchaeus is one more living proof that God does not abandon the lost; He comes after them with mercy. As William Barclay observes, beneath the outward life of Zacchaeus there was a soul still reaching for God.

How often we, too, hide from the Lord. We hide behind religion, busyness, politeness, or the fear of being truly known. Yet Jesus does not seek us in order to shame us, but to save us. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). Alexander Maclaren reminds us that Christ forces Himself on no one, yet withholds Himself from no one. His love is gentle, but it is persistent. He calls us out of concealment into honesty. Zacchaeus had to come down from the tree; in the same way, we are called during Lent to come down from our hiding places and stand before God as we truly are. The Lord who seeks the lost also welcomes the truthful heart: “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Matthew Henry says that where Christ comes, He brings salvation with Him. That is exactly what happened in the house of Zacchaeus. The man who had lived for gain now opens his hands in repentance and restitution. The one who had hidden himself now receives Jesus joyfully. This is what happens when the seeking love of God is welcomed: communion replaces distance, grace overcomes shame, and transformation begins. Lent invites us not to hide from God, but to present ourselves to Him honestly, trusting that the One who seeks us comes not to condemn, but to save, restore, and bring us home.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love is forever seeking communion with us. When we hide in fear or shame, come and call us by name. Give us grace to present ourselves to You honestly, without pretense or delay. Lord Jesus, thank You that You came not to condemn but to save. Seek us, restore us, and bring Your salvation into the house of our hearts. Amen.