The Second Greatest Word; Luke 19:1-10
Okay, you are now asking, what is the greatest word? If you ask a hundred people, you may get 100 different greatest words. But you ask what is the greatest word, then you must ask the one who knows all things—that, my friend, is God. There is nothing that God does not know, he is all knowing, and with him also there is “no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
The Second Greatest Word, gives way to the greatest word. Both the greatest word and the Second Greatest Word are found in Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus. It is a story which needs no introduction, for it is one of the most famous excerpts in the life of our Lord and one most remembered by Bible lovers everywhere. (Luke 19:1-10)
Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, he was very rich, he was of little stature, and he wanted to see Jesus as he was passing through his town. Because of the great crowds, Zacchaeus, ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus as he came by. As Jesus was passing through, he stopped and looked up into that tree and said to Zacchaeus—”make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus did make haste, came down from that tree, and received Jesus joyfully not only into his home but more so into his heart. Life took on a new meaning and a new direction for Zacchaeus that day. In this one setting, Jesus made an all important statement: “This day is salvation come (has occurred) to this house, forsomuch as he is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:9,10).
So here is the greatest word—Salvation. “This day is salvation come…” It has always been the greatest word and forever it will be. It is the greatest word to any culture, race or creed. Salvation is the number one word with God which has been personified in His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Zacchaeus did not know it at the time, but he was waiting for salvation, for Salvation would be soon passing by. Salvation is God’s only deliverance from sin, Satan, and eternal death. If God did not provide a light in a dark place, all men would be in an eternal state decay, death and dammed for a Christ-less hell. Salvation hinges totally on the One who brings it—that, dear friend, is an all-loving God who sent his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life—salvation is forever!
This so great salvation can occur to any one any where (even up in a tree) anytime. Salvation, God’s greatest word can happen today. Are you willing receive him now, he says; “(…now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
The Second Greatest Word is come. “This day is salvation come…”. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost. God’s salvation has come to all men so that all men could come to Christ. No man can come to the Father except by Jesus. He said: If any man comes unto me, I will in no wise cast out. Come to Jesus now, come to Jesus just as you, come to Christ—He is your salvation. Do not delay, do not neglect what God has provided and promised to you. The Father is waiting for you to come to Him. You have no promise of salvation tomorrow, only today!
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