The Issue of Zacchaeus

For several weeks now, the sermon was on Luke 19:1-10, specifically on the story of Zacchaeus. There is a link above if you are unfamiliar with the story. Most would know it as the guy who climbed a tree to see Jesus. 

The pastor's question began with this: what was special about Zacchaeus? Was Zacchaeus special in the sight of God that he was chosen by Jesus for salvation? Or was he simply chosen as a representative of all the lost souls? 

If Zacchaeus had indeed done something to have been be uniquely chosen, it would no longer be complete grace. An act of man bringing salvation would completely overthrow the message of the Bible, in which says that salvation is solely by the grace of God.
Was, then, Zacchaeus only a representative among all? There certainly was something different, as Jesus crossed the crowd and called him by name.

The short answer to this question was that Zacchaeus responded. He was in position to respond. 

There is a correlation to this story which is found in Luke 17:11-19. It is the story of ten lepers being healed by Jesus. Ten lepers are healed, but only one comes back to Jesus. 

It is the issue of the current state of the heart. What problems and burdens are carried by individuals? For Zacchaeus, he was branded a sinner even by the people. He had been struggling with the issue of sin, and has found the answer in Jesus. He responds and is overjoyed. The first grace that was given to Zacchaeus was not Jesus seeking him out and coming to his home, but rather his life circumstances that allowed him to realize that he was a sinner. 

How does this relate to our lives? Personally, I no longer struggle with the issue of sin. I am not desperate for God. The problem that which was solved by the cross is no longer the center of my heart. I fail to respond. I fool myself constantly in that I am living according to God. Perhaps it is due my life without agony. The problem with pain is that it is needed. Yet again, the answer it the cross, and the cross shall it be as the home of my heart.