Tag: save the lost
Jesus loves “Short” people!
Scripture reading for March 28: Luke 19
“And behold there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see Who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd, he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received Him joyfully.” Luke 19:2-6
My mother loved to tell this story about Jesus. She was a short woman and I inherited her stature. This story had impacted her life and she shared it with her children and the Sunday School she helped to lead at our country church. She even had a song she taught to her children that I remember yet today! “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he!” was the first line!
Zacchaeus was a short person who was also ‘short’ on spiritual stature according to his fellow Jews. He had become a tax collector for the Roman government and was viewed as the lowest of sinners. But Zacchaeus had a desire to know more about this Jesus Who was drawing crowds and healing people. He made a plan to get a view of Jesus by climbing a tree. As Jesus passed by, Jesus looked up and called out to Zacchaeus to come down. Jesus wanted to spend some time with him at his house! Zacchaeus received Him joyfully! This created a real stir among the religious folks and they began to grumble and complain. Zacchaeus stood and announced a change of heart (and stature)! In true repentance, he would restore four times all he had stolen to become rich. He would give half his goods to the poor. Jesus announced to him that “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.” (Luke 19:8-10) It was Jesus mission to seek and save the lost!
Have you ever had a desire to know more about this Man Jesus? What kind of a plan might you make today to get a better understanding of Him? Can you believe that He wants to spend time with you and bring salvation to your house and family?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for my godly mother who faithfully told me and others Your great love for all the “short” people of this world. Use me today to reach out to those who may feel ‘short’ because of rejection, sin and shame, or others judgments. I am receiving You in my house with rejoicing! Amen!