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
Recent
Archive
2026
February
March
The Roundabout Way: Finding Purpose in Life's DelaysProtected Through the DetourGetting Egypt Out of Your HeartHumbled and Tested in the WaitingOvercoming Fear with FaithDon't Quit - Your Breakthrough is ComingWhen Praise Changes Everything: Finding Victiory in Your Darkest MomentsGod Sees YouThe Turning Point of PraisePraise Changes the AtmospherePraise Births Your FuturePraise in All SeasonsBecoming a New Wineskin: Embracing God's Fresh Work in your LifeEmbracing God's New ThingThe Truth that Sets You FreeMaking Hard ChoicesRenewing Your MindBecoming a Pliable VesselThe Transformative Power of a Tiny SeedFaith With ExpectationThe Mustard Seed PrincipleStrategic GenerosityDivine Timing and ConnectionFrom Fear to FlowerThe Way of Suffering: Finding Purpose in Your PainThe Price of Our Freedom
April
Enduring Because of JoyGod's Path vs. Our PreferencesNot Alone in the FurnaceDisregarding the ShameThe Greatest Story Ever Told: What Easter Really MeansThe Plan UnfoldingThe Lamb of GodThree Days and Three NightsHe Is RisenPeace With GodThe Revolutionary Power of Grace: Breaking Free From the Performance TrapGrace - God's Gift to MeReceiving Grace through FaithGrace Available to EveryoneGrace Comes through Christ AloneGrace Brings Eternal LifeFinding the Balance: Where Grace Meets TruthGrace Without CompromiseThe Cost of DiscipleshipWorks As Evidence, Not PaymentFreedom from LegalismTransformation Through BalanceThe Fruit of Grace: Living Out Your FaithGrace that TransformsPlanted by the VineFaith that Works
May
Fruit that Pleases GodFruit that LastsThe Transformative Power of Letting GoChosen, Holy, and Dearly LovedDressed for ForgivenessForgive As You've Been ForgivenLove Your EnemiesLiving In PeaceGrace In The Grind: Finding God in EverydayThe Dignity of Daily WorkOpening Your Hands in the Midst of BusynessLiving Spirit FirstA Woman Who Fears The LordGrace to Keep GoingThe Power of Prayer: Finding Your Voice In the Secret PlaceThe Secret Place of PrayerPrayer Has A VoiceFrom Performance To RelationshipGenerational Prayers EchoNever Lose Your VoiceThe Divine BlueprintTuesday: God's Perfect OrderWednesday: The Law Written On HeartsThursday: Pentecost Was Always The PlanFriday: The Promise is For YouSaturday: Walking in the Spirit
June
Living A Spirit-Filled LifeThe Helper Who Never LeavesMoving Beyond Awareness to ExperienceDon't Resist the Spirit's LeadingThe Spirit's Three-Fold MinistryA Daily Prayer for Spirit-Filled LivingBeing The Hands and Feet of JesusFaith That MovesSeeing Jesus in the LeastBlessing Through GenerosityCompassion Without FatigueHands and Feet in ActionThe Anointing Never DiesStaying In The TentLearning From Spiritual Fathers
2025
No Comments