And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.” Luke 19:9 NABRE
Luke shares the story of a man named Zacchaeus, a tax collector. Tax collectors were not revered by the local community as they were representative of the occupying government. Not only did they collect the taxes from the people for the occupying leaders but they tended to take a little extra for themselves becoming rich on the backs of the local citizenship, usually poor and needing support themselves. In this story Jesus is visiting Jericho where Zacchaeus is the chief tax collector. Jesus created lots of buzz and so many were crowding the streets to see Jesus pass. The crowds we too tall for Zacchaeus who it is said was short in stature, therefore Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passed. When Jesus reached the tree He called Zacchaeus to come down and He invited Himself to stay with Zacchaeus that evening. Surprised Zacchaeus descends from the tree and the crowd as surprised declares Jesus will be staying at the house of a sinner. Zacchaeus hearing their ridicule repents, promising to give half his possessions to the poor and if he has extorted anyone promises to repay them four fold. The story begins with Zacchaeus looking for Jesus and it became a story of Jesus looking for Zacchaeus. Jesus’ mission is to seek and find the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus announces salvation for Zacchaeus another descendant of Abraham. Jesus demonstrates in this encounter that the rich too can find a way to the kingdom of God.
Encountering Jesus is the beginning of a journey to the kingdom of God. We must remember the journey is long and we can be distracted, but Jesus uses every means to bring us home.
Have you encountered Jesus? How is your journey to God being fulfilled?
Encountering Jesus is the beginning of a journey to the kingdom of God. We must remember the journey is long and we can be distracted, but Jesus uses every means to bring us home. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #repent #repay #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways