TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Exodus 34:5-9
2 Thess. 1:1-5, 11,12
Luke 19:1-10
Psalm 119:145-152
Zacchaeus, a Jewish tax collector, worked for the enemy, Rome. The
Roman goverment taxed the Jewish people heavily and unfairly. Zacchaeus
profited personally from this unfair taxation by charging even more
than Rome required. The faithful Jews who tired to live by God's word
recognized Zacchaeus as a man without integrity.
Jesus, however, judged people differently. He had a reputation for . . .
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Exodus 34:5-9
2 Thess. 1:1-5, 11,12
Luke 19:1-10
Psalm 119:145-152
Zacchaeus, a Jewish tax collector, worked for the enemy, Rome. The Roman goverment taxed the Jewish people heavily and unfairly. Zacchaeus profited personally from this unfair taxation by charging even more than Rome required. The faithful Jews who tired to live by God's word recognized Zacchaeus as a man without integrity.
Jesus, however, judged people differently. He had a reputation for eating with tax collectors and sinners. When Jesus came to Jericho, a crowd gathered to hear Him preach. Zacchaeus ( a little man) wanted to see Jesus so much that he climbed up a tree to see over the crowd.
Jesus acted as if he had expected to find Zacchaeus. In front of everyone He called to him by name and said He must stay at his house that day. The crowd that had gathered resented such grace toward a sinner. But even as the crowd grumbled, he also promised to pay back those he had cheated, paying them more than he had taken from them. God's offensive mercy in Jesus resulted in Zacchaeus' salvation and liberal justice for God's people.
Christian friends, Today another church member or even a family member who receives God's word of forgiveness may have wronged you. God's mercy toward that person may offend you. Yet it is this same mercy that never ceases to work on our own behalf.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - The willingness to make restitution is one of the sure fruits of true conversion.