Come Home for Christmas
Friday, December 15, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, the overwhelming truth of today’s Scripture is that You have come to seek and save those who are lost! I praise You that I am among those who once was lost, but now am found. I pray that as I go about this day, You will show me those who come across my path who are still lost, who still haven’t responded to the salvation offered by Jesus. I pray that You will give me the right words to say, the right actions to perform that I may be a “springboard” rather than a “stumbling block” for such people. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit right now that I may have the same zeal for reaching the lost that motivated Jesus to welcome Zacchaeus, and to invest His time with so many that others wouldn’t give the time of day. Glorify Yourself in my life today, and let me be a blessing to others. This I pray in Jesus’ name. 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
How do you think you would have responded to Jesus welcome, if you had been Zacchaeus?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
How do you think the crowd, which had just been grumbling about Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus reacted to Zacchaeus’ transformation? Why?
What does it mean to be a “son of Abraham,” as Jesus referred to Zacchaeus?
What does Jesus say is His purpose for coming into the world?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What does today’s Scripture tell us about God’s purpose for our lives?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Jesus tells us that he came to seek and to save those who are lost. Take some time right now, to consider those in your sphere of influence who are “lost,” who don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Write a list of those closest to you below and then invest some time praying for their salvation, and well as for discernment as to how you can witness to them.
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Thoughts—“Salvation Has Come to This Home!”
During our “Come Home For Christmas” emphasis, we have been looking at various biblical people and events that emphasize coming home. In this week’s reading Jesus literally came to Zacchaeus’ home, and in the end SALVATION came to it! That’s the goal for every home, isn’t it? That Jesus Christ would reign as Savior and Lord, and that those who come as guests would sense God’s presence there. As we move farther into the Christmas season, I’ve noticed that many people have decorated the outsides (and undoubtedly the insides) of their homes in preparation for their celebrations of Christmas. But as you look at the decorations the majority of them are either deer, or Santa Claus’s or snowflakes or icicle lights. Manger scenes do dot the landscape, but if we celebrate Christmas and leave out Christ then we haven’t really celebrated. Just as Jesus came home with Zacchaeus and then salvation came through Him, so we must invite Jesus into our homes that salvation may be with us! The decorations in our homes change with the seasons, but salvation is enduring—into eternity. Let’s make certain that are homes are “adorned” with salvation first and foremost in this blessed season!