Reflecting on Luke 19:1-10“This man, too, is a son of Abraham.” (Luke 19:9)
The people saw Zacchaeus as a traitor, the worst kind of enemy.
He worked with the Romans to get rich, at the expense of his own family.
The worst of the worse is how they saw him… but not how Jesus saw him.
Yes, he was deceived and unloving, but he was still a son of Abraham.
Abraham, a ‘foreigner’ from Ur, was chosen by God to be blessed.
It was his openness to God’s blessing, not his goodness, that ‘saved’ him.
He was a pattern for all who are saved by grace through faith (Galatians 3:7-9).
Jesus eats with him BEFORE Zacchaeus makes his promises to change.
Zacchaeus was won over BY grace, saved by God’s generous goodness.
This is how we are all saved; God in Jesus comes to us, seeking us as we are!
How do you see the ‘enemies’ or ‘opponents’ or ‘sinners’ in your life?
Do you see them for their crimes or sins, or as God’s children of grace.
All people are sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, loved and graced by God.
Grace precedes repentance, kindness wins over hardened hearts.
May we as graced sinners welcome others with the same grace and kindness!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I cannot exclude anyone from Your table or hinder anyone that is seeking to know You. If grace draws and welcomes them, grace can change and restore them too. Make me a channel of Your grace. May Your grace make me more gracious.
The following hymn came to my mind as I read today’s devotional:
1 Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
2 For Thy name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
3 He who walks in godly fear
In the path of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.
4 They that fear and love the Lord
Shall His holy friendship know;
He will grace to them accord,
And His faithful covenant show.