A few thoughts from reading Luke 19:1-9:
First of all, every time I read the name Zacchaues, I can’t help but sing the corresponding children’s song. You know the one. You’re probably already singing it now:
- Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see
And as the Savior passed that way
He looked up in that tree
And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today
For I’m going to your house to stay”
That’s what I thought….I’m not alone is singing that little tune.
Then, in verse three it says, “He wanted to see who Jesus was.” Yes! Getting a glimpse of Jesus! That just puts a smile on my face thinking about it. If Jesus were to walk through my town, or parade through on a float, I would try my best to see Him.
This brings to mind a time when I took some teenage girls last year to see the new, wildly popular, music group One Direction in concert. We got to the amphitheater early so the girls could have a chance at getting a “glimpse” of the boys in the band. I paid extra to get V.I.P parking to help that “glimpse” become more of a reality. We arrived early enough that the girls got to see the boys riding tri-cycles (yes, that’s right), kicking the soccer ball, and just chillin’ out. Oh my goodness, the smile on the girls’ faces was totally worth it.
As Christians we have a responsibility to exemplify Christ. When we do, others get a glimpse of Jesus through us. How are you doing in that department? Are you reflecting God’s light in a positive manner? I try. I may need to look in the mirror every now and then, okay…daily, to keep me in check, but I am trying to represent Christ the best I can.
The third thought I had was not about Zacchaeus or Christ at all, but about Zacchaeus’s wife (I’m guessing he was married). She had no clue about who was about to visit her home. In verse five we read, “Jesus said, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry! Come down! I must stay at your house today.’” Was she like…”What? Jesus is coming to my house? What? He’s here? But the house is a not picked up! I don’t have any food prepared for Him.” Or, was she just as excited as Zacchaeus to get a glimpse of Jesus that she was like Mary and just sat at His feet and hung on every word He said? Who knows? It was just a crazy thought I had while reading.
My fourth thought was that that “glimpse”, which became a full out “come on over”, of Jesus really tugged at Zacchaeus’s heart. Why? Because the bible says that he was convicted to do better. In verse 8 Zacchaeus says, “I want to do good. I will give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times more.” That’s how we should be also…Convicted to do better.
Finally, when I read verse 9 I just want to jump up and down and say “Glory!” Here we read, “Jesus said, ‘Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God’s chosen people.’” Guess what? If you haven’t already, you too can be saved from sin. Yes! Today is your day! When you realize that and accept Christ, you will want to jump up and down and say “Glory!” too.
Blessings to you.
| April 30 |