March 27 in FirstLook

In Luke 19, a tax collector and notorious sinner named Zacchaeus fought the crowds to see Jesus. He found something so compelling about Christ that he sprinted ahead of the crowd, climbed a tree, and watched as Jesus passed. In the first century, men didn’t run. Running was considered highly inappropriate and even scandalous, since it was viewed as childlike. One might conclude that climbing trees would also be socially unacceptable. Zacchaeus moved beyond these social parameters to see Jesus. There was no guarantee Zacchaeus would have any interaction with Jesus or that he’d witness something miraculous. Yet he was willing to potentially humiliate himself to get a brief glimpse of Jesus. That sort of faith caught Jesus’ eye. The crowd was displeased that Jesus would have chosen to stay with someone with such a miserable reputation.

Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). In Christianity, to be “saved” is usually used in reference to our salvation—a life where we are freed from the penalty of sin and given a new life with Christ now, as well as after death. However, it’s interesting to note the depth behind this passage. The word “save” in verse 10 is the Greek word sõzõ. According to Strong’s Concordance, sõzõ means “to rescue from danger or destruction; to save one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, or restore to health.” Jesus came to find those who were broken inside and make them well.

Zacchaeus was on a path toward destruction. Tax collectors were known as notoriously greedy, corrupt thieves. They often collected fines over that which the government required, pocketing the profits for themselves. Therefore, Zacchaeus’s love for his material things probably consumed his life. The corruption likely kept him from being in community with others. Yet, when Jesus showed Zacchaeus God’s true, unconditional love, his whole life was changed. The power of God’s love healed his very soul. He willingly responded by pledging to give away half of his goods, repaying those he had cheated, and vowing to change for good.

You are loved by God. You have been commissioned to go into the world and be a representative of His love. God wants everyone to be part of His family— regardless of gender, race, background, or history. So, we must always be aware of those around us: our brothers and sisters who have not yet joined the family. Furthermore, we’re called to live out love such that our lives point to Christ. This is rarely an easy, or comfortable, endeavor. Quite frankly, living the life God calls us to can often be extremely stretching and uncomfortable. We can hold firmly to the Truth; God will give us everything we need to follow Him with boldness and love through the power of His Holy Spirit.

This week, ask God to reveal to your heart someone in your life that He may be specifically pursuing. Maybe it’s a coworker, relative, or classmate. Or perhaps you visit a particular restaurant or coffee shop frequently, and the waiter or barista knows you by name. Write down the name or names God puts on your heart. Pray that God would give you the courage and boldness needed to represent Him—despite how unusual or challenging it may feel. For many, talking to others about God is an uncomfortable and stretching endeavor. Pray that you would be able to move beyond your boundaries, relying fully on God’s strength. (It may even be beneficial to meditate on this week’s Remember Verse.)

Throughout the week, also be aware of ways God may want to use you to bless or show His love to another person. Be open and available to God and see how He would use you to minister to that individual. May you be an ambassador of His love, ushering others into God’s family.