Come Home for Christmas
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, just as Zacchaeus did whatever it took to get the opportunity to see Jesus, I pray that I will do whatever it takes today not only to “see” Jesus, but listen to His voice and do His will! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may discern and do the will of Jesus in every aspect of my life. As I study Your word today give me wisdom and understanding that I may see things in the familiar account of Zacchaeus that I haven’t seen before, and then apply them to my mind and heart that I may live as Your disciple. I pray for others who, as Zacchaeus, are seeking Jesus today. I pray that they may find Him. I also pray for those who are not seeking Jesus, who don’t even know that He is the Savior of the world and the giver of life to all who seek Him. Use me today that I may be a faithful and obedient witness to Your great grace and salvation. All this I pray in the strong name of Jesus! Amen.
God’s Word Today
Luke 19:1-10
1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. 3He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.
5When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.”
6Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. 10And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
If you had lived in Jesus’ day, to what lengths do you think you would have gone to be able to see Him or meet Him?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
In looking at Luke 19:1-4, what facts do you find out about Zacchaeus, and do any of those facts lead you to believe that he would have been interested in Jesus? Why or why not?
In the original Greek of today’s Scripture, it isn’t clear whether it was Jesus or Zacchaeus who was short. Why do you suppose that Bible translators have chosen to understand that it was Zacchaeus, rather than Jesus, who was short?
What do you learn from Zacchaeus about following Jesus from today’s Scripture?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What does Luke 19:1-4 tell us about God’s purpose for our lives?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Zacchaeus took action when the opportunity to see Jesus came to him. What action or actions do you need to take right now to get a “better view” of Jesus in your life? As you think about this question, also pause and ask Him what you need to do to draw closer to Him. Write any insights or response below:
Thoughts—“Up a Tree”
Would you go up a tree to see Jesus? Zacchaeus was a prominent citizen in Jericho, albeit through a most unpopular profession—tax collecting. It is likely that everyone in town knew Zacchaeus and most likely that they all made fun of his “vertical challenge.” What do you think folks would have thought when they saw this wealthy tax collector climbing a tree, like a little child? Would they have laughed? Would they have wondered? Zacchaeus’ action, if it was noticed, must have caused a stir. That wasn’t Zacchaeus’ intention. He was so focused on seeing Jesus that he would do whatever it took. That’s the lesson we learn from Zacchaeus’ unlikely action in today’s Scripture. What would we do to “see” Jesus, to follow where He leads us? Jesus often calls us to do things that seem strange to the world, doesn’t He? Are we embarrassed? Are we willing to go “up a tree” if that’s what He wants of us, or if it will help us get a better view of Him? Zacchaeus hadn’t even met Jesus yet, but he was so intrigued by this new teacher, this miracle worker, who rumor had it may be the Messiah, that he set aside what was proper or expected and did what was necessary to see Jesus. May we do the same today! After all, when we’re up a tree we have a better view of Jesus AND others may ask us why we’re there, which gives us an opportunity to tell them about Him!