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#1240. He was seeking us first (10/3/25)

Community Church Putney Sermons

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  1. #1240. He was seeking us first (10/3/25)

  2. https://www.communitychurchputney.com/post/1240-hewasseekingusfirst-10-3-25

  3. Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (Posted each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series. 

  4. From Luke 19:1-7, let’s reflect on Zacchaeus; he ‘wanted to see Jesus’; however, the deeper truth is that Jesus was seeking him.

    Luke 19:1–7

  5. You can listen to this devotional below

  6. https://youtu.be/cdcw_CNx2AE

  7. ‘Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” Luke 19:1-7)

    Luke 19:1–7

  8. Zacchaeus yearned to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Perhaps rumours of miracles stirred his curiosity, or an unspoken thirst drove him. Yet, this desire wasn’t self-made—it hints at God’s prior work, subtly shaping Zacchaeus’ heart to draw him near. Our own journey to faith begins the same way: not with our seeking, but with Jesus stirring us toward Himself.

  9. Obstacles stood in Zacchaeus’ way—his height, the pressing crowd—mirroring our spiritual reality. Sin and human limitation block our path to God; no effort can close the distance. But then comes grace: Jesus looks up, calls Zacchaeus by name, and insists, “I must stay at your house today.” Amid the crowd’s grumbling, Jesus defies expectation, pursuing the outcast. This is the gospel’s heartbeat—God finds us before we find Him.

  10. This meeting was no coincidence. Guided by the Spirit, Jesus sought Zacchaeus with purpose, fulfilling what John later captures:

  11. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

    1 John 4:19

  12. Zacchaeus climbed the tree to see, but Jesus was already on a mission to save.

  13. Rejoice today: your faith didn’t start with you reaching toward God—He reached for you first. No matter your past or your limitations, Jesus is calling your name, longing to dwell with you.

  14. Prayer and Reflection

  15. * How can I celebrate anew the grace of God choosing me?

  16. * Do I see Jesus seeking me, even when I feel distant?

  17. * Will I invite Him to ‘stay at my house’—sharing my time and opening every corner of my life?