I was thinking today of how very easy it is for some people to blast out hateful and hurtful things via social media because there is no immediate consequence for doing so, as there would be in a face to face situation. Social media has been such a blessing from God to greatly increase our avenues for sharing the Gospel. It has also put us in contact with so many people that we would never meet that we can minister to, pray for and help connect to others. Of course, as with anything and everything that GOD has created, the enemy has his own tricks, schemes, tactics and strategies to use this wonderful gift for evil purposes. People are inclined to be very free in their criticism of others in ways that they would never do if they had to meet that person face to face! With that in mind, I was reading Luke 19 from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan today. It begins with the account of Zacchaeus who, like me and many others I know, was small of stature! Zacchaeus was also a chief tax collector! Not just a lowly tax collector, but a chief of tax collectors, and he was VERY rich! By his own admission, Zacchaeus was also a cheat! How did JESUS respond to this person? Let's look at verses 1-6:
1 And [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and [he was] rich. 3 And he was trying to see Jesus, which One He was, but he could not on account of the crowd, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today. 6 So he hurried and came down, and he received and welcomed Him joyfully.
Zacchaeus had heard of JESUS and wanted to see Him for himself. He PROVED his desire to see and learn of JESUS by climbing up into a tree so he could see above the crowd! Has there ever been a time when you had to do something a little awkward or uncomfortable in order to get to the Word of God? How much is it worth to YOU to get to the TRUTH? I would hope that we would ALL have a little Zacchaeus in us! JESUS responded to this heart search by inviting Himself right into the man's home! How thrilled Zacchaeus must have been! Of course there were those who judged JESUS right away for what they presumed to be a wrong choice! There have always been those people, and probably always will be, despite our call to walk in love by being always ready to believe the BEST of others (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)! Verse 7:
7 And when the people saw it, they all muttered among themselves and indignantly complained, He has gone in to be the guest of and lodge with a man who is devoted to sin and preeminently a sinner.
How did Zacchaeus respond to the love that JESUS showed to Him? Verse 8:
8 So then Zacchaeus stood up and solemnly declared to the Lord, See, Lord, the half of my goods I [now] give [by way of restoration] to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I [now] restore four times as much.
Remember, which means: NEVER FORGET, that it is the GOODNESS of God that leads people to repent, which means to change their thinking to agree with God (Romans 2:4)! The love and kindness of JESUS led Zacchaeus to change his thinking, his attitudes and his actions, toward God AND others! JESUS revealed in verses 9-10 how HE views this.
9 And Jesus said to him, Today is [Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
This account always fills me with joy unspeakable! To know that JESUS sees and knows ME like this! That He LOVES me and desires only GOOD for me, ALWAYS! To know that JESUS does not prefer one over another, except believers over unbelievers. He desires that ALL be believers so that they can ALL become His 'favorites'! There is no cause and no time that any of us should 'think more highly of ourselves', OR 'more lowly of ourselves', than we ought to think! How should we ALWAYS think? That without JESUS, I am NOTHING! BUT, I am NOT, nor will I EVER AGAIN be, without JESUS! HALLELUJAH!!! Thank You, JESUS! GLORY TO GOD for His most wonderful GIFT! Have YOU received JESUS as Lord and personal Savior yet? If not, please visit our website through the link on the left and find out how! Once you do that, continue to find out so much more that is available to us as children of the most High God! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Search My Heart":
Shalom in Him
