DISCOVER JESUS

To discover a person you must have an encounter with the person. People that have discovered Jesus have had an encounter with him.

In this series, we will explore the discovery of people that had an encounter with him.

Matthew discovered Jesus (Matthew 9:9-13)

Matthew 9:9

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Matthew was a publican. Publicans are custom officers who collect taxes at the port on behalf of the Roman empire. Publicans are regarded as the elites in society and with so much wealth. The Pharisees and Sadducee see them as the chief of sinners. They are known to oppress others with their power, collect bribes, live in immorality and embezzle money. You will connect with this if you know a top custom officer in Nigeria.

On this faithful day, Matthew was sitting at the collection table as usual and then Jesus walked to him with a straight look and said follow me. How could Jesus call a publican, a chief sinner to be with him. Certainly, Jesus knew who he was before calling him. As we know he knew everyone he called. He proved this in the case of Nathaniel. In the encounter of Matthew are these discoveries:

1. Jesus does not look at your profession, he calls you regardless of the kind of profession you are involved in. Even if what you do to earn a living is the chief of all sin Jesus still reach out to you.

2. Jesus is compassionate that he can take you with him even when you are dirty. He comes to you right in the dirt.

3. Jesus does not segregate. He is interested in all- small or great, rich or poor, believer or sinner.

4. Jesus can use anybody to advance His kingdom.

5. Jesus looks at you with mercy and grace. Mercy overlooks your fault and Grace grant you what you don’t deserve.

Zacchaeus discovered Jesus (Luke19:1-11)

Luke 19:1-2

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

Zacchaeus was also a Publican, with ill-gotten wealth. He is not just a publican but a chief Publican. His case was different because Jesus did not seek him, he sought for Jesus. He orchestrated his encounter with Jesus. In the encounter of Zacchaeus are these discoveries:

1. Jesus sees you as you make a decision to see or know Him, so he comes straight to you. He is always waiting for those that will seek him. When you seek Him, He finds you?

2. One meeting with Jesus is enough to get Him to abide with you. You don’t need a second meeting.

3. Jesus loves sinners. He can do anything to be with a sinner that seek Him. He left all the crowd that was following Him to be with Zacchaeus.

4. The Joy of being with Jesus gives you the confidence to denounce your old lifestyle.

5. When you receive Jesus into your home without hiding anything from Him, letting Him see you the way you are Jesus will bring you SALVATION to you. He will give you a new life.

Are you ready to discover Jesus just as Matthew and Zacchaeus discovered Him, Jesus comes to people in different form and ways. He reveals Himself to show His Compassion, Love, Grace, Mercy, Glory and Power.

God bless you.