Amen, Brother Beacon! We were both impressed by the same underlying truth!!
Jesus looks at the heart. And that is what He saw in Zacchaeus--a heart that was receptive to the Holy Spirit's influence. We may never know until heaven how many hearts were open to truth all around us, but we may have been tempted to look on the outward appearance and think that they were not open. Let us learn to abide in Christ continually so that when He bids us speak a word of hope and truth for Him to a soul in need, we will obey the Spirit's promptings. As we let Him speak through us, we will find many more stars in our crown to endure as redeemed souls through the ceaseless ages of eternity as Christ Himself is the one that wrought through us to save souls!! Hallelujah!!
'"The chief among the publicans,' Zacchaeus, was a Jew, and detested by his countrymen. His rank and wealth were the reward of a calling they abhorred, and which was regarded as another name for injustice and extortion. Yet the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man of the world that he seemed. Beneath the appearance of worldliness and pride was a heart susceptible to divine influences. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus. The report of One who had borne Himself with kindness and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide. In this chief of the publicans was awakened a longing for a better life. Only a few miles from Jericho, John the Baptist had preached at the Jordan, and Zacchaeus had heard of the call to repentance. The instruction to the publicans, 'Exact no more than that which is appointed you' (Luke 3:13), though outwardly disregarded, had impressed his mind. He knew the Scriptures, and was convicted that his practice was wrong. Now, hearing the words reported to have come from the Great Teacher, he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of God. Yet what he had heard of Jesus kindled hope in his heart. Repentance, reformation of life, was possible, even to him; was not one of the new Teacher's most trusted disciples a publican? Zacchaeus began at once to follow the conviction that had taken hold upon him, and to make restitution to those whom he had wronged." {The Desire of Ages, page 552, paragraph 4}
As we experience the hope that is kindled by beholding Jesus, may we remember also that Jesus came to save us--who by nature are fallen and evil and cannot change ourselves. Yet we can look to Jesus and surrender the whole heart to Him to purify! As Christ comes to live in us by faith, we experience the whole heart is renewed and imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Then we gladly obey the law of God to the extent that we know of it and rejoice in the privilege of being used by God to win souls!