Devotional - November 5, 2025
Scripture: Luke 19:1-3 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.
On Sunday we discussed Luke's account of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus. Zacchaeus is described in two ways. He was short in stature and he was very wealthy. Being a tax collector was a two edged sword. On one side, tax collectors wielded great power in their official capacity. On the other, they were hated within their community. What would make someone seek out such a profession amidst Judaism's tightly woven community? Whether this is true for Zacchaeus or not, some people turn on others, and even society as a whole, because of how they were treated when they were young. Maybe they were short, or had speech impediment, or some other kind of oddity that others made fun of in public. We think, no..., not once they become adults. They outgrow that stuff. Actually, many do not outgrow it. They do the opposite. They become overly conscientious about it and the shame, and pain, can carry right into adulthood. A position like tax collector would give one a lot of power and ability to get back at others and anyone who dared try it again. It is interesting that we are not privy to what occurred when Zacchaeus actually met with Jesus. We just know the results. Is it possible that such an encounter was so liberating for Zacchaeus that he did what he did? After Zacchaeus proclaims all he would do for others, Jesus says something interesting. He says that he too (being Zacchaus) is a son of Abraham (Luke 19:9). We may ask, what's the big deal? Why would that be so important? Remember the covenants that God made with Abraham. There are three (Genesis 12, 15, and 17). Because of Zacchaeus' livelihood, he was considered an outcast and not a part of the Jewish community. And more importantly, he was considered excluded from what God had promised His people. Jesus thought otherwise and knew Zacchaeus's heart. Jesus shared with Zacchaeus the true nature of salvation and forgiveness and Zacchaeus received what Jesus said to him. And therein lies the key, he received it. Many of us have gone to church for years, but we still have trouble hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ over the clamor of our lives, both inside and out. Peter gives us some help doing this when he writes, sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts (1 Peter 3:15). Rank what Jesus says about you higher than anything else. If you don't, the teachings of Jesus become equal, or even less than everything else. It all gets mixed together, or even worse, we believe the messages we get from the world over and against the word of the Lord. We miss the message of salvation and healing from Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that we are able to let go of many of our struggles and carry on with God, renewed.
Pray with me..., Holy God we know that we carry all kinds of things forward from our past. Some things are good, but some are not. Help us to understand Your salvation and find healing for our souls. We give You thanks for all You have done for us and ask for Your blessing on our loved ones. Bless and guide our church, O God, so we can be the people You call us to be, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Brian
