Loved First: The Devotion That Changes Everything

The secret to loving God better — and loving others better — is first understanding how deeply you are loved. 

Luke 19:1–10 tells a story immortalized in a children’s song about a “wee little man” climbing a tree to see Jesus. But when we look more closely, we discover something deeper than a short man trying to see over a crowd. We find a story about devotion both from God and for God that overflows into costly love for others. 

Luke tells us Zacchaeus wanted “to see who Jesus was” (v. 3). In the original Greek, the word translated “see” suggests more than curiosity. It carries the weight of determined pursuit — a longing for a real encounter. Wealthy and powerful yet known for dishonesty, Zacchaeus was likely resented, isolated, and spiritually hungry. 

His desire was so deep that dignity no longer mattered. Respectable Jewish men at the time didn’t run, and they certainly didn’t climb trees (v. 3–4). Love was already at work in him, stirring a hunger strong enough to override pride. 

Here’s what’s striking: Zacchaeus thought he was seeking Jesus, but Jesus was already seeking him. 

Before Zacchaeus could call out, Jesus stopped beneath the tree. Before he could introduce himself, Jesus called him by name. Before any confession or restitution, Jesus invited Himself over (v. 5). 

That’s how God’s love works. Our desire for Him is always an echo of His desire for us. 

Zacchaeus came down immediately and welcomed Him joyfully (v. 6). He didn’t clean himself up first. He didn’t negotiate terms. He simply received the love being offered. 

And that love became the catalyst for everything that followed. 

We aren’t told what happened inside that house, but we see the result: Zacchaeus pledged to give half his possessions to the poor and repay four times anyone he had cheated. It went beyond what the Law required. It was radical. Costly. Potentially devastating to his wealth. 

Why? Because when you are captured by costly love, you begin to reflect it. 

1 John 3:16–17 reminds us, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Costly love is possible because Jesus gave first. 

We often think change begins with striving. Try harder. Do better. Be more generous. However, devotion doesn’t begin with effort. It begins with encounter. 

Zacchaeus didn’t transform his life so that Jesus would come to his house. Jesus came to his house, and that changed his life. 

His name means “pure and innocent” — an identity he didn’t begin living into until Jesus called him by name. 

If you want to love God more, start by receiving His love. If you want to love others better, abide in the love that sought you first. When Christ’s love takes root in us, it doesn’t stay contained. It reshapes how we live, give, and love. 

The deepest love is a love that costs something — and love that costs something flows from abiding in the love that sustains everything. 

And it always begins here: you are loved first. 

This post is inspired by message five of our “Going Deeper with God” sermon series by Dr. John Freeland.