"`Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly"(Luke 19:5,6).

This is one of the most poignant passages in the entire Bible. Imagine Jesus saying this to us! And yet He does, every day. He tells us He must stay at our house if it is to be a house unified and secure, for a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25).

Zacchaeus, despised by his countrymen, wanted to meet Jesus. He had heard of this kind Man who was willing to share His life with the lowly and hated. He even climbed a tree to get a glimpse of Him. Are we so eager to see Jesus that we will climb over the inconsequentials of life to look for Him? Is our purpose in life large enough to overcome our trivial pursuits in life? Can we get beyond social position and possessions and poses to accept this astonishing offer to have Jesus come to our house and be a vital part of our family?

Once we have ascended to find Him, He then asks us to descend. Many of God's people have been fetched from lofty heights by God Himself. We each have our own branches in a tree upon which we have settled: self-confidence, self-importance, resentments, false hopes, self-justification; whatever is our peculiar and pet fault. Humility means a coming down from lofty heights. It is interesting that Jesus' only description of Himself was: "...I am gentle and humble in heart..." (Matthew 11:29b).

Next comes the personal plea, "Come down immediately." Make haste to welcome Him, and with great joy. Today is the day of salvation. The Divine Guest will dine with us today. He does not wait for us to invite Him; He invites Himself: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). So what are we waiting for?