Devotional: Hope for Shorty- A Journey with Zacchaeus Day 5

 Day 5: Hope for the Lost

Scripture: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10

Reflection:

Zacchaeus’ story ends with Jesus declaring a mission statement for His ministry — and for our faith.

He came to seek and save the lost — not to condemn them, but to call them home.

Jesus still walks through our Jerichos today — seeking out the ones others avoid.

He looks up at the people in their trees of shame and pride, and says, “I see you. Come down. Let’s walk together.”

No one is too far gone, too small, or too stained for His grace.

If there’s hope for Shorty, there’s hope for you.

Application:

Who is the “Zacchaeus” in your world — the person others avoid or label? Pray for them by name and ask God for a chance to show them grace this week.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for coming after me when I was lost. Help me to live on mission with You — seeking the overlooked, loving the broken, and offering hope to the hopeless. Amen.

Devotional: Hope for Shorty- A Journey with Zacchaeus Day 4

 Day 4: The Joy of Repentance

Scripture: “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody, I will pay back four times the amount.” — Luke 19:8

Reflection:

Something shifted inside Zacchaeus that day. The man who once grabbed for more suddenly let go.

That’s what happens when you encounter grace — your hands open.

Repentance isn’t just feeling bad; it’s turning toward something better. Zacchaeus didn’t just confess; he changed direction.

Grace doesn’t just forgive us — it frees us.

Zacchaeus went from taking to giving, from greed to generosity, from sin to service.

Application:

Is there an area in your life where God is prompting a change — a step of obedience or restitution? Don’t delay. Respond joyfully, like Zacchaeus did.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for a grace that transforms. Help me to let go of what holds me back. Fill me with a generous heart that reflects Your goodness. Amen.

Devotional: Hope for Shorty: A Journey with Zacchaeus

 Day 3: The Moment of Encounter

Scripture: “So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly.” — Luke 19:6

Reflection:

Zacchaeus could have stayed in the tree — curious but cautious. But when Jesus called, he responded. He didn’t wait until he had his life in order or his sins fixed. He came down immediately.

That’s the beauty of grace — you don’t have to climb higher to reach Jesus; you just have to come down from your pride and let Him in.

Jesus doesn’t just want to visit your house — He wants to live in your heart.

When Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home, he found something better than riches: a 
relationship.

Application:

What’s keeping you “up in the tree”? Pride? Shame? Fear? Take a step down today. Invite Jesus into your “house” — your daily life, your habits, your thoughts, your schedule.

Prayer:

Jesus, I don’t want to just hear about You — I want to welcome You in. Come into every room of my heart and make Yourself at home. Amen.

Devotional: Hope for Shorty- A Journey with Zacchaeus

 Day 2: The Weight of the Labels

Scripture: “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’” — Luke 19:7

Reflection:

Zacchaeus knew what people thought of him. He had heard it all: “traitor,” “sinner,” “thief.” He wore those labels like heavy chains. But Jesus didn’t call him by his shame — He called him by his name.

Maybe you’ve been called things that hurt. Maybe you’ve said them to yourself: Failure. Fake. Not enough.

But Jesus doesn’t define you by your past — He redefines you by His presence.

When Christ steps into your story, the old labels lose their grip. The voices that said, “You’re not good enough,” begin to fade. And in their place, you hear the voice of the Savior:

“I must come to your house today.”

Application:

Write down a few labels that have been placed on you — by others or yourself. Then, beside each one, write a new truth about what Jesus says: Loved. Chosen. Forgiven. Seen.

Prayer:

Lord, silence the voices that label me by my past. Call me by the name You’ve given me — Beloved, Redeemed, Yours. Help me extend that same grace to others who’ve been mislabeled. Amen.

Devotional: Hope for Shorty -A Journey with Zacchaeus

 Day 1: Seen by Jesus

Scripture: “When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’” — Luke 19:5

Reflection:

Zacchaeus was used to being unseen — or worse, ridiculed. He was short, rich, and despised. But on that day in Jericho, Jesus did what no one else had ever done: He looked up.

Jesus didn’t avoid him. He didn’t shout insults. He saw him.

The crowd saw a corrupt tax collector. Jesus saw a child of Abraham.

He saw beyond the labels, beyond the shame, beyond the story others told — and saw the story that could be.

Jesus still does that. He sees the overlooked, the outcast, and the ashamed — and He calls them by name.

You may feel small or unseen today, but Jesus knows exactly where you are — and He’s looking up for you, not down on you.

Application:

Ask yourself: Where do I feel unseen or unworthy? Invite Jesus into that place. Picture Him calling your name with kindness, not condemnation.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You that You see me — not just my mistakes or weaknesses, but my heart. Help me believe that I matter to You. Teach me to look at others the same way You looked at Zacchaeus. Amen.