What I learned today from Zacchaeus

 

Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19)

 

Can you hear Jesus saying that to you? “Come down from all the big important things that occupy your life, your thoughts, and energy. Come down and receive me into your thoughts and your daily life. Let’s have breakfast together. Let’s have coffee, just you and me.”

 

Zacchaeus saw the invitation more clearly than I often do. I am inclined to hear something about religious duty. Zacchaeus heard an invitation from the most amazing and exciting person in his world.

 

I must understand who is calling me to come down. Then like Zacchaeus I will receive him joyfully.

 

The people standing around saw all this and they were critical because they condemned Zacchaeus outright. Therefore, if Jesus would associate with him, he was suspect also.

 

Zacchaeus, aware of this condemnation, saw a way to repent and promised to give half of his wealth to the poor and to return double to anyone he had cheated.

 

Jesus answered him saying, “Today salvation has come to this house… For the son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

 

When I was baptized at 12 years old, I had no idea of what sin was or how I was guilty. I was told that if I became a Christian, I wouldn’t have to go to Hell and I could go to heaven. That was all I understood.

 

Sin didn’t mean much; repentance didn’t mean anything. Hell was really hot and Heaven was really nice, sort of like southern California, without smog and a lot like Disneyland. It was a no-brainer. 

 

Now I see that, for salvation to truly happen in my life, I must become aware of the sin in my life and find the way to repent.

Temtation, Sin, and Forgiveness

 

I have read and reread Luke 17 many times in different translations and today I saw something I don’t think I had ever noticed before. Jesus is talking to the disciples about temptation, sin and forgiveness. In verse 4 he says something that really took me off guard. Speaking of my brother sinning and repenting, Jesus says;

 

  and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

 

 Please note that this is for Disciples. Jesus simply said, “if he turns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’” All he has to do is say ‘I repent’. I want some evidence of repentance. Surely, he must do more than just mouth some words. Jesus says all he has to do is say, ‘I repent’, and then he says you must forgive him.

 

How often have I gone to my Father and said, “I’m sorry, please forgive me,” only to turn around and do the same thing again? Our perfect God and heavenly Father is everlastingly merciful, and Jesus tells us to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

 

Just another lesson in becoming like Jesus.

Eager to Enter the Kingdom?

 

"The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.”

I came across these words of Jesus in Luke 16:16 this morning and it caused me to wonder how many actually are forcing their way into the kingdom of God. In the New Living Translation, “it says everyone is eager to get in.”

I think of times when I was pretty young and I was going to go hunting or fishing with my dad. I was up and dressed by 5:00 in the morning with no complaining. One time, while Jeannie and I were traveling, it was the last leg of our trip and we woke up at 3:00 and couldn’t get back to sleep. We were eager to get there.

Is everyone really eager to get into the kingdom of God. Are you eager enough to get up a little early to meet with God before you head off for your day? What are you truly eager for?