Rewriting Stories of Hope
Luke 19:1-10
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[a] came to seek and save those who are lost.”
The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus sees those whom society overlooks or despises. Just as Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree, He's calling out to each of us, desiring to bring salvation and transformation to our lives. Think about the "Zacchaeuses" in your community - those who are marginalized or considered unworthy. How can you extend Christ's love to them? Consider also how Jesus has rewritten your own story. Take time to thank Him for His transforming grace in your life and ask for opportunities to share that hope with others who need their stories rewritten.
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[a] came to seek and save those who are lost.”
The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus sees those whom society overlooks or despises. Just as Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree, He's calling out to each of us, desiring to bring salvation and transformation to our lives. Think about the "Zacchaeuses" in your community - those who are marginalized or considered unworthy. How can you extend Christ's love to them? Consider also how Jesus has rewritten your own story. Take time to thank Him for His transforming grace in your life and ask for opportunities to share that hope with others who need their stories rewritten.
Posted in Daily Devotions
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