Jesus and Zacchaeus, Luke 19
1He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
What is the Holy Spirit stirring in your heart after reading this living passage? Here are some questions that came to my mind:
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- Am I allowing my shortcomings (perceived or real) to keep me at arms length from Christ?
- Do I need to take a step of faith and climb up out of the crowds and get closer to the Lord?
- Is Jesus calling me by name for salvation or greater sanctification?
- Am I jealous and questioning Jesus’s focus on someone or something I’ve judged as less than worthy?
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Most of all, I’m challenged to be postured to hear the voice of the Lord. I need to reserve more time for listening and yielding. I’ve been in a season of transition, with my younger kids both in school, praying for guidance. What’s next, where can I best serve, and asking for direction. In between all of the prayers is continued busyness. Noise. Activity. And while most of it may be deemed “good”, what’s been lacking is stillness to hear what God has for me.
Zacchaeus took a day away from his work to seek out the Lord. In return, Jesus called him by name, joined him in his home, and led him to salvation and sanctification.
Does anyone feel called to step away? If you want to join me, I love partnership and accountability. Get in touch! I’m choosing Tuesday, November 12th, as a day to yield, listen, and sabbath.
Photo: Wikipedia, Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree he climbed.
