July 10 devotion - Short Story

Luke 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (NIV)

            I’ve always been a short person, so I know how Zacchaeus must have felt when he couldn’t see above the crowd to catch a glimpse of Jesus. I’ve been in more than a few places and situations where I have struggled to see what’s happening at a concert, movie, or even church service because of a larger person standing or sitting in front of me. Sometimes I move to the right or left just to find a clear view; on other occasions, I just sigh and sit quietly, choosing instead to listen to what’s going on.

            I don’t know if I would have climbed a tree to get a better view of Jesus, although I have stood on benches and walls to watch parades and other public spectacles. It seems that the wee man was so desperate to see Jesus that he was willing to look ridiculous, after all, it’s usually children who climb trees to get a better view. I can imagine that the people around him laughed at Zacchaeus, diminishing his pride and self-esteem. Perhaps some of them felt like he deserved to be humiliated because he was despised for being a tax-collector and colluding with the Romans.

            I love what Jesus does to restore Zacchaeus’s dignity, as well as his soul. Our Savior does not laugh at the short tax-collector or rebuke him for working for the enemy. Christ doesn’t even ask to come to his house – look at the verse again – Jesus actually insists on going to his home. It’s a wonderful moment of acceptance and Zacchaeus responds immediately by climbing down and welcoming Christ gladly.

            This is an event which is filled with God’s love and grace. It reminds all of us – short, medium, or tall – that Jesus actively seeks to restore us to God’s Kingdom. All we have to do is to welcome Him gladly into our hearts and homes, which is where salvation begins and never ends.

Point to Ponder

Am I willing to let Jesus into my heart? If I welcome Him into my life, how will He change me?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank You for Your grace and acceptance. We know we are unworthy of those blessings, but we are also delighted that You are willing to grant them to us. Enable us to extend this blessing to all whom we encounter today. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. You can also email John at Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s tree drawings called ‘Season Finale.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Tree.

Gospel Devotion: Weeping Savior - Luke 19:41

Luke 19:41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

There is no doubt that Jesus loved His own people. He wanted them to receive Him gladly, not to boost His reputation or esteem, but so that they could be showered with God’s blessings of forgiveness and everlasting love. He wept over Jerusalem because He knew that He would be rejected and arrested, tortured and crucified. He wasn’t weeping for Himself; Jesus was weeping for His people. In all of their wonderful history, God’s chosen people would make the greatest mistake of their spiritual lives. Instead of recognizing the Messiah, they would rail against Him. Instead of accepting the Anointed One, they would kill Him.

This week, a report from the Pew Center has revealed that Protestant Christianity is in decline and that atheism/secularism is increasing across American society. Almost one third of our young people have no belief in God at all, which means that our society will go through some major changes in the decades to come. People will miss out on the Gospel message and a whole generation will potentially no longer have a strong connection to Christ. Perhaps at that time, Jesus will be weeping again not just for Jerusalem, but for a whole world that will culturally crucify Him once more. The vital question for the Church at that time could be: will it be a time to lament of the past, or will it become a brand new mission field? Only those churches that presently preach, teach, and live out a strong connection and personal commitment to Christ may only be around to answer that question.

Questions for personal reflection

How committed to Christ am I? What am I doing now to strongly pass on my Christian faith to the next generation?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You love Your people and You delight in Your Bride, the Church. You know the issues that we face today and the drifting away of our young people from our churches. Help us to deepen our relationship with You, so that the next generation may see an authentic and realistic Christianity that will draw them closer to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is presently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest autumn drawings. It’s called “Smoky Mountain Morning” and features the fall colored misty mornings that take place in the Smokies at this time of year. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8065671923_a367e2217c_b.jpg

Stewardship devotion: The Lord Needs It - Luke 19:34

Luke 19:34 They replied, "The Lord needs it." 

I wonder how much our faith would affect our daily lives if we lived to serve Christ’s needs instead of our own? Is that even possible? Would our churches be filled with people on Sundays because the Lord needed them to be there? Would missions throughout the world be fully funded because the Lord needs affluent Christians in the West to ‘pony up’ and provide from their ample resources all that is needed by Christ to medicate, educate, feed and clothe people living in poverty across the globe?

If we are comfortable doing religious things without being challenged by the scandal of the Gospel, then we are going to go through life as spiritually shallow people. However, if we take time to really think about what Christ needs us to do with our lives and resources, then everything will change about how we ‘do’ church and how we share our faith. The owners of the colt in today’s Gospel passage (Luke 19:28-36) could have told the disciples to clear off, or that it was inconvenient, or that it would be okay the next day. They didn’t do that; when they heard the words “The Lord needs it,” they gave over the colt freely and perhaps gladly.

Questions for personal reflection

What does the Lord need of me? Am I willing to give my time, talents, and money to Him for His work?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, Your Gospel brings goodness and forgiveness, strength and love into our lives. It also presents us with challenges and causes us to reflect upon our daily choices. Help us to live according to Your needs and liberate us from our insecurities, as well as our desires. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.