HE Has Time

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

~Luke 19:1

What does that statement say to you?
I looked at several translations of scripture. I looked at the meaning of the Greek words. And the only interpretation I can find is that Jesus was passing through Jericho.
On His way from point A to point B, He had to pass through.
No intention of tarrying or spending time there.
Just passing through.
It may be interesting to note that "point B" was Jerusalem. Jesus was ultimately on His way to the cross. So this was an important journey He was taking through Jericho - for it would lead to our salvation. Thus, one would expect that this "passing through" also came with some level of hastiness.
How surprising, then, to get to verse 5 and hear Jesus say to a short tax collector who had climbed a tree to get a glimpse of Him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
Wait.
What???
Jesus, I thought You were just passing through. You've got important work to do. You're on a journey to Jerusalem. Spending the day at Zach's house was NOT on the agenda!
I mean, I trust Jesus knew He had to get to Jerusalem. And yet He said He must spend the day with Zacchaeus. "Must" as in, it was necessary. There was need of Him to do it. Spending the day with Zacchaeus was right and proper. It was a must.
And so He did it. Jesus spent the day with Zacchaeus. Even though He was just "passing through."
Zach needed a Savior, and Jesus had time to stop and meet that need.
Much like He did in the previous chapter when people were trying to hush a blind beggar. The man was calling out to Jesus for help and those who were leading the procession told him to be quiet.
Leave Jesus alone.
He had important things to do.
Yet Jesus stopped and called the man to Himself. Jesus asked the man what He could do for him. Then He healed the man's blindness.
Jesus had time to stop and meet the man's need. Even though He was on an important journey. Even though others didn't think the man was valuable enough for Jesus' time.
Even though.
HE had time for these men who needed Him.
And, guess what?
HE has time for you, too!