Volume 101: Rest in Gain

 

As you look back on growing up, we all most likely have those Bible Stories that we heard more than others. 

For me, whether Communion classes or Younglife Club, it seemed that most speakers' go to passage was Luke 19...

A wee little man climbing a tree to see Jesus! Jesus calling him by name! And going over to his house for a meal! Even though he was a tax collecter, whom everyone hated!

Over time, the story of Zacchaeus became one of those stories that I began to glimpse over, thinking to myself "I already know this story!"

However, as I read it yesterday, I was drawn to it with fresh eyes.

"He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

I was reminded that this story is much more than just a wee little man! 

With the help of Tara Leigh Cobble's recap, I thought about how unique (compared to the other stories in the gospels) that Zacchaeus didn't need anything tangible from Jesus... 

He didn't run to Jesus asking him to heal him of demons or disease or even try to stump Jesus with some deep theological question. Instead, he was led by curiosity to climb the tree to see Jesus. 

May we be curious like Zacchaeus! No matter our status or occupation or church or length of relationship with Him, I pray that I will always be eager to learn more and understand more clearly. 

In the chapter right before, we read about the rich young ruler, and can see a few similarities between the two, yet also some big, important differences.

Both rich and powerful. 

Both engaging with Jesus. 

Yet, the rich young ruler "became very sad" and walked away. 

And Zacchaeus's story ends with Jesus proclaiming, "Today salvation has come to this house!"

What was the difference?

"The rich ruler saw how much he had to lose by following Jesus, but Zacchaeus saw how much he had to gain."

Do I focus on the loses or the gains? What am I truly willing to sacrifice in my relationship with Jesus? 

Jesus had given the rich young ruler an invitation that we have only seen him give the disciples, "Come, follow me." Yet, he was so distracted with his earthly possessions that he missed it. 

Zacchaeus had a curiosity that placed himself in a situation to be seen by Jesus. His heart was open to Jesus's presence and offering of eternal life. 

May I be more like Zacchaeus in the way that after being with Jesus, he takes action to change his life and make right any previous wrongdoings. To live in the confidence that life with Jesus is greater than anything this world has to offer!

Eternal life!

Forgiveness!

Joy!

Community!

Life to the fullest!

As Philippians so perfectly sums it up:

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

How do we find rest in this busy, loud world? How do we quiet racing minds?

We understand that our ultimate gain is being found in Christ! Our loving Father. Our provider of all things. Our perfect creator. 

Hello to Elliott's sister, Claire! Living in Houston!