Thursday, April 18

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

Joshua 16:1–18:28

Luke 19:1–27

Psalm 87:1–7

Proverbs 13:11

 

 

On Sunday, we will have another “People’s Sermon,” with the focus on Luke 19:1–10.  Today’s reading includes this passage, and it spoke to me on two notes:  1) the interplay of seeking and revelation and 2) the powerful ripple effects of salvation.

 

Zacchaeus encounters Jesus in Jericho and desires to catch a glimpse of Him.  As a tax collector, Zacchaeus had profited from taking advantage of others, which he will shortly confess.  As Pastor Scott often explains, our neighbors have a similar interest in learning more about Christ but may be repelled by the perceived unwelcoming spirit of His Body.  In many ways, therefore, Zacchaeus would fit right into modern-day Fairfield County.

 

As a side note, I love that Scripture’s characters are so diverse and real.  We find leading players who have sinned greatly, but the physical traits add credence to the validity of the narrative.  Scripture writers might easily have couched falsified accounts with too-good-to-be-true participants, but instead we find doubtful disciples and faithful outsiders – and mixes of great faith and unbelief even in the same people.  The sheer breadth of people to whom Jesus ministers points to His divinity; as the God-man, He could relate to anyone.  So, of course, Zacchaeus will shimmy up a sycamore-fig tree in order to compensate for his diminutive stature! 

 

While Zacchaeus does show a heart to seek after Jesus, we find that Jesus “came to seek and to save what was lost.” (v. 10)  God does not wait for His children to become perfectly holy, but rather approaches them in their seeking Him.  This principle appears beautifully in the Parable of the Prodigal Son:  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arm around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20b)  Here, Jesus presses the issue with Zacchaeus by responding to his interest by inviting Himself to his house.  Zacchaeus “welcomed him gladly.” (v. 6)  Amazing!

 

At Zacchaeus’s home, he demonstrates His true repentance by committing to repay those whom he had wronged.  Jesus’s Kingdom invitation overwhelmed Zacchaeus’s baggage.  The transformation brings waves of renewal, not just for Zacchaeus but for his entire household – family and servants.  May we find such waves of restoration in our community in 2013!  We ourselves may repeat Peter’s urging in Acts 3:19,20:  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”

 

Also, the Parable of the Minas presented in Luke 19:11–27 reiterates some of the principles from the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14–30.  Both parables follow a similar pattern and emphasize our duty to invest our lives according to Kingdom purposes and to make full use of all the skills, time, and energy that God has given us.  In the Luke parable, however, the king brings punishment not just on the unfaithful servant, but also on “those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them.” (v. 27)

 

Intriguingly, the Luke passage begins with this introduction:  “While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” (v. 11)  We may see the parallels to Jesus’s Kingship, where he would also depart from the earth for a time to be restored to His heavenly throne.  His words appear to chide the Pharisees who stood in opposition to His ministry and His very presence.  Many of Jesus’s parables highlight the “otherness” of the Kingdom, but this one underscores the danger of denying Christ’s Lordship and dominion over the earth and His coming Kingdom.

 

Father, may we embrace Your Kingdom work and the Lordship of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  May we invest our hearts, minds, and bodies in Your purposes and experience true sonship and daughterhood as we live for You.  Please move in our midst, strengthening the hearts of those who love You, that we may in turn bless our family, friends, and neighbors – that they would know You and glorify You.  We cannot continue to deny Your Lordship; we ask for Your sovereignty to be revealed and exercised in these challenging days.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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