Breakfast For Your Soul

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Jesus and Zacchaeus

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.  There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.  He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.  When Jesus came by, He looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” He said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.  But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:1-10

Good Morning Beloved,

The foundation of the Gospel.  Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost.  I love this story.  This man was very rich….. most likely by ill gotten means.  The tax collectors of that day were notorious in their crooked dealings with the children of Israel.  The people had no recourse and were basically at their mercy. Tax collectors were hated by the people, so when this new “Rabbi”.. Jesus… announced that He was going to this man’s house, it must have sent shock waves through the crowd.  A Holy Man in a sinners house!  People are people, and not much has changed in the way of entertaining guests.. especially those who we hold in great esteem.  If we knew that the mayor of our city were coming to dinner, can you imagine the preparation that would go into that meal.  The house would be spotless, we’d break out the ‘good’ china, and everybody would have on their best manners, as well as clothes.  There would probably be cameras, and we would not want to be embarrassed.  We would also feel honored that they chose to come to our house.  Jesus was the ‘in’ person.  Multitudes followed Him to see what He would do next. Any one of them would have gladly hosted Him in their houses for bragging rights.  This thieving tax collector’s heart was touched and Jesus knew it.  He knew that this man was ready for a change.   The man climbed a tree to see Jesus.  Think of a man in a suit that cost thousands, expensive shoes, exclusive one of kind jewelry, Cartier watch, the best fragrance designed especially for him…. quality from head to toe… climbing a tree, just to get a better look at Jesus.  What will we do to see Jesus?….. The beauty of this story is the picture I see of Jesus looking up at this little man whose clothes were probably torn and disheveled, smiling and inviting Himself in to this man home.  We have the same smile from Jesus, and the same invitation from Him to come into our ‘home’…..

…. and that right there is Good News!

U Blessed,

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

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Regina,

Good Morning Beloved,

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.  Turn away from evil and do good.  Search for peace, and work to maintain it.  The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.  But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. [1 Peter 3:8-12]

I love that!  Ever hear the saying, “no good deed goes unpunished”?  That is a lie.  Every good deed has its own reward.  The bible encourages us to “not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9).  What would happen to a crop, if the farmer planted his seeds, and then the next day gave away his farm, because he did not see a harvest?  That would be crazy right?  I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in October of 1988.  I’m still a member of the church where I received Jesus into my life.  There have been many, many, many changes over the years.  People have come and gone and come back again into my life.  Family and friends have passed away, jobs have changed, hair and clothes have changed, but one thing has remained consistent… God is right there in the midst of it all… watching.  He is not only watching, but He is constantly in motion working out situations on my behalf, and allowing me to experience a piece of His magnificence.  I have learned that the life of a Christian is not a ‘sprint’… it is a long distance marathon…. a lifestyle.  Good days, not so good days… in the middle of tragedy and chaos or great triumph… I’m still a Christian… a child of God… a heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus… I am in the words of young gospel rapper IROCC, “a blood bought, spirit taught, child of the cross”….

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day!

Regina 

Cartoonist’s Comment:

Don’t try to carry the weight of all of your problems yourself. Roll that care over on to Jesus.