The fuller meaning of salvation

"Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  v9 

                                                                                            Luke 19:1-10    NKJV

Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector, quite a hated man by most. However, there was something in his heart that wouldn't go away - it was the Holy Spirit. He had a burning desire to see Jesus and when he heard that He was about to pass through Jericho, he raced ahead towards the crowds. However, he was only a short man and because he couldn't see Jesus properly, he climbed a tree to get a better view; not many people can use this fact in their testimony.

As Jesus walked by He noticed Zacchaeus and called him down telling him that He wanted to stay at his house. Zacchaeus was beside himself with happiness and ran towards Jesus and, 'received Him joyfully.' Probably you have always believed that Zacchaeus was saved after spending time with Jesus and hearing the words, 'Today salvation has come to this house.' However, Zacchaeus was saved when he accepted Jesus' offer to come down the tree and allow Him to stay at his house.

As always happens, there are the criticisers. They complained that Jesus was staying at the house of a sinner. Jesus agreed, telling them this was the reason He had come - to seek and save that which was lost. Zacchaeus felt he must justify himself and and told Jesus that he would restore whatever he had taken from anyone illegally. This was the repentance Jesus was seeking and this was the reason He said, 'Today salvation has come to this house.'

You see, we must dig into scripture more deeply to understand that salvation has a fuller realisation. It doesn't only mean getting saved. The Greek word  is Soteria and means deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue and general well-being. Soteria has a material temporal sense and a spiritual eternal sense, which means that salvation is a present possession with a fuller realisation in the future.

When we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we are born again; however, there is more to come and this is what Jesus was telling Zacchaeus. He had accepted Jesus but, this was only the beginning and; this is what it is for us too. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord that is brilliant. You are saved and have a place in Heaven. However, there is more and if you don't take hold of it, it is like having money in the bank and never, ever touching it. Jesus wants us fit, healthy, happy and full of His Spirit. He wants us joyful because, this is where the strength comes from. 

Jesus wants you prosperous in all areas; He wants you happy and blessed; He has rescued you and will continue to do so whenever it's needed. He is committed to your well-being and preservation and for whatever hangups, addictions or problems you have, He wants to provide deliverance. Allow Him to do this, it's part of the bundle. In fact, from today, walk in the fullness of your salvation.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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