Luke 19-20 (NKJV)
My thoughts:
The story of Zacchaeus is the story of salvation in a nutshell. Zacchaeus seeks the Lord, and his seeking get's God's attention. This is resounded in the scripture that says " draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
My attention peaked when I read Jesus' response to Zacchaeus' effort -- "Jesus Came to the place". It reminds us that Jesus will meet us halfway, if you will, when we make the effort of coming to him. Not only did Jesus come to where he was, he then invited Zacchaeus to come where Jesus stood. When he says to Zacchaeus that this day is salvation come to his house it was both literal and spiritual. Jesus, whose name means, Jehovah our salvation, was going to stay at Zaccheaus's house. His staying at his house is also reminiscent of the passage that says , " Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me " (Rev. 3:20)
Luke 19 :11-27 admonishes us to use what God has given us, for his glory and for the progression of his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Our talents and gifts and blessings are not for our benefit only. It is so that men may see our works, and the manifestation of God in our lives, so that God can get the glory. The church is to be a portal, if you will, from this natural life to the spiritual life. We are called to be ambassadors and representatives of what is freely given.
The servant was afraid, maybe of the work it involved to multiply the share of the gift he was given. It seems that we, as Christ followers, have gotten spoiled. We want what comes conveniently. Receiving this great salvation is so easy, but we rather not get too involved with the process of living out our salvation.The production of fruit takes time and effort, in the natural and the physical. The master of the servant in this scripture was angered at the servant's passivity and slothfulness. We must remember that one plants, another waters, and God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7-9)- he will meet us halfway if we take the first step.
My thoughts:
The story of Zacchaeus is the story of salvation in a nutshell. Zacchaeus seeks the Lord, and his seeking get's God's attention. This is resounded in the scripture that says " draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
My attention peaked when I read Jesus' response to Zacchaeus' effort -- "Jesus Came to the place". It reminds us that Jesus will meet us halfway, if you will, when we make the effort of coming to him. Not only did Jesus come to where he was, he then invited Zacchaeus to come where Jesus stood. When he says to Zacchaeus that this day is salvation come to his house it was both literal and spiritual. Jesus, whose name means, Jehovah our salvation, was going to stay at Zaccheaus's house. His staying at his house is also reminiscent of the passage that says , " Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me " (Rev. 3:20)
Luke 19 :11-27 admonishes us to use what God has given us, for his glory and for the progression of his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Our talents and gifts and blessings are not for our benefit only. It is so that men may see our works, and the manifestation of God in our lives, so that God can get the glory. The church is to be a portal, if you will, from this natural life to the spiritual life. We are called to be ambassadors and representatives of what is freely given.
The servant was afraid, maybe of the work it involved to multiply the share of the gift he was given. It seems that we, as Christ followers, have gotten spoiled. We want what comes conveniently. Receiving this great salvation is so easy, but we rather not get too involved with the process of living out our salvation.The production of fruit takes time and effort, in the natural and the physical. The master of the servant in this scripture was angered at the servant's passivity and slothfulness. We must remember that one plants, another waters, and God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7-9)- he will meet us halfway if we take the first step.
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