Part of the appeal of the Zacchaeus story is how unexpected it all is. We have no indication Zacchaeus had any idea of Jesus’ itinerary, or perhaps he was just eager to see what all the commotion was about. Even Jesus was “intending to pass through the town,” not make spontaneous dinner plans. And yet, this encounter becomes one of the most memorable in the Gospels.
Zacchaeus shows extraordinary courage in this moment. Facing who knows how many years of scorn from his neighbors, he could have easily slunk away in disgrace. Instead, he takes a chance on Jesus, the one person who saw his dignity and promise as a “descendant of Abraham.” The tax collector’s heart is moved, his soul transformed, and he becomes a new man.
Can I open myself to that sort of grace? Like Jesus, can I see the possibility in those who may have been written off by others?
Good afternoon LFF. Thank you Steve for such a great share. Amen, Salina, I resonate with your writing today, easy for Me to understand. Thank you so much. God Bless ALL our L.F.F. Today and Always. Much love and respect from Janet a.k.a. "Sunshine"
Deacon Arthur Miller; I appreciate & look forward to your videos everytime you speak, & I have shared what you say on them to others. I'm a very devot Catholic & appreciate you for your strong Catholicism as well. Your videos are absolutely awesome, & you're a wonderful child of God & teacher! Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving! Mary
Steve, love that you put this in quotes...Even Jesus was “intending to pass through the town,” *** Did Jesus intend to pass thorugh the town? Did Zacchaeus happen to be seeking Who Jesus was? Was the sycamore tree planted there just so Zacchaeus could climb at this time? *** I think back on the last few BSF lessons in John: Jesus stopping at Samaria meeting the Samaritan woman and Jesus healing a lame man at the Sheep Gate pool! *** Most Jews would not have passed through Samaria! And Jesus didn't heal any other diabled people around the pool except this man! ******* I believe everything Jesus did, is doing and will do are intentional and planned long ago! He is sovereign, He is omniscient, and He is merciful! Because Jesus was God even when He was walking on earth as a human! I tend to understand Jesus from a human perspective because I am a human, always thinking physical and temporal and not prone to thinking spiritutal and eternal :-( Examples... *** Philip was thinking physical and temporal and Jesus was testing Philip on spiritual and eternal in John 6:5-7, "Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him. So He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test Philip. He already knew what He was going to do. Philip answered Him, “Suppose we were able to buy enough bread for each person to have just a bite. That would take more than half a year’s pay!” *** Jesus didn't even answered their question and went to the heart of their unspoken physical and temporal desires in John 6:25-27, "They found Him (Jesus) on the other side of the lake. They asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You are not looking for Me because you saw the signs I did. You are looking for Me because you ate the loaves until you were full. Do not work for food that spoils. Work for food that lasts forever. That is the food the Son of Man will give you. For God the Father has put His seal of approval on Him.” *** When it comes to God, there is just His plan and His work...period!!! Not my plan nor my work! Remembering what my husband told me about a dime - Does It Matter Eternally? 2 Corinthans 4:18, "So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t see. That’s because what can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen will last forever." I desire to be so heavenly minded that it reflects on earthly good!!! ******* The crowd's next question still physical and temporal minded and Jesus' answer pointing to spiritual and eternal truth in John 6:28-29, "Then they asked Him, “What does God want from us? What works does He want us to do?” Jesus answered, “God’s work is to believe in the One He has sent.” *** I realize that any lessons Jesus taught or any questions Jesus asked...all pointed to Himself and not the work I need to do! When I focus on Jesus and learn from Him, the work I need to do will be the results! The horse before the cart - spiritual and eternal! The cart before the horse - physical and temporal!
Thank you for an inspiring reflection, Steve. Our Dear Lord Jesus is giving us so many examples of how to live our lives. To open our hearts to everyone, no matter who you are, where you are, there is no such thing as “ the other.”
Amen God is Great see how he can change your life God bless you all.
Thanks Steve for the reminder. No matter where we are or what we have done, Jesus still wants to be with us. All we have to do is repent! Have a blessed Thanksgiving to everyone.
“Like Jesus, can I see the possibility in those who have been written off by others?” That’s a tough question Steve especially in these days of rampant addiction and constant relapses and those, who because of their life choices seem doomed to a life of poverty. Besides constantly praying for them Jesus, show us the best way to help them while still offering encouragement. Jesus help me to never give up on them.
Irene, thank you for sharing your heart, the heart of Jesus that is ✝️ The only way to true and lasting peace is to believe in Jesus! So I continue to pray for the Christ conversions of scammers, anyone who has been written off, ones with additions, troubled ones, especially leaders (in families, churches, schools, work, local, state, federal, countires) and I can fill in blanks.......Am I praying for peace only in the physical and temporal realms and not including the spiritual and eternal realms? Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans. Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world. So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing. So remain strong in the faith. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the armor of godliness on your chest. Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace. Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put on the helmet of salvation. And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s Word. At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." *** The only offensive weapon in the Armor of God is God's Word...Sword of the Holy Spirit!!!
I pray also, as hard as it is, for scammers as well as others who have been written off. Last week I lost all of my checking account to scammers. A hard pill to swallow but gradually I have been able to pray for their conversion.
Amen Anne! I would love to find a way to encourage the homeless and addicted to boost their self esteem enough to want to work and be a part of God's caring world.
Amen!
Besutiful reflection Steve. Today, salvation comes to your house! (Luke 19:9) Thank you Jesus for those unexpected moments of grace. Thank you Lord for coming to save us, even in our own situations and circumstances, Amen. Prayers for all with special intentions and needs. Blessings Living Faith Family.
Amen... thank you Steve... still so applicable today
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Thank You Jesus for loving me even when loving me had to be so hard. I love You I love You I love You Amen Amen Amen