Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 18, 2023
Read Luke 19:1-10
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through town. 2 A man there named Zacchaeus, a ruler among tax collectors, was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but, being a short man, he couldn’t because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.” 6 So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus. 7 Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I repay them four times as much.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this household because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 The Human One came to seek and save the lost.”
Good Morning, Jesus comes to save all who are lost!
Sometimes my five-year-old mind just kicks in! I can’t read this passage without singing the song about Zacchaeus I learned in VBS as a child. “Zaccheus, YOU COME DOWN, for I’m going to your house today.” Of course, in my mind, I see my best “Shirley Temple” look as I’m singing those words.
Ah, for those self-righteous sinners who choose to judge the actions of others, we must pray. It is easy to join the gossipmongers when a new person comes to town and joins with the wrong crowd. By the wrong crowd, I mean those who have been deemed unworthy because they wear the wrong clothes, work the wrong job, or simply aren’t like those doing the judging.
Jesus came to break down the barriers that we put up. We’ve probably all met someone who, at that first meeting, caused us to think poorly about them regarding something they said or did, or even based on their appearance. Perhaps, we’ve been on the other side of that scenario, and we’ve been the subject of those passing judgment.
We are sinners who are only saved by the grace of God. Not one of us is worthy as a result of our own actions, status, or wealth. When I said that we should pray for those self-righteous sinners who are prone to judging others, we must add ourselves to that prayer. Christ exemplified humility during his earthly walk. I begin each day with an earnest plea to take a step as Christ taught us as I travel along my faith journey.
Knowing God, Thank You for being with us. Thank you! Oh Lord, help us talk the talk and walk the walk of Jesus. Help us cast away our self-righteous aires. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Opportunities to pray for a child of God come to us daily.
Walk with Christ! Pastor Liz
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