Obsessed with myself

We live in a world where we are obsessed with ourselves. This plays itself out most clearly on social media platforms, but it is also seen in other avenues. Oscar Wilde once remarked: "Come over here and sit next to me, I am dying to tell you all about myself."

The reality is that we usually steer clear of people who are self-obsessed, because we never really feel that we are valued. Perhaps one of the reasons why people were drawn to Jesus was because he took a genuine interest in their lives and well-being. Take this encounter with Zacchaeus as an example:

"When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” - Luke 19:5

Do you know of someone who needs to feel 'valued' today?

Living in Grace

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Courage of Desperation

Have you ever been in a situation where you have felt so desperate that you were willing to try anything to get out of that tough time? I know I have and it is not a nice place to be in.
When Zacchaeus realised that he was missing something in his life, his desperation drove him to do something very undignified - he climbed up into a tree!

This in itself, may not seem strange, but just think of the Chief Revenue Officer (or the head of SARS in South Africa) wading through a packed crowd and suddenly start climbing up a tree. It smacks of desperation and it would definitely get heads turning. Ironically it was probably this act of desperation that placed Zacchaeus fully in Jesus's line of sight. And as Jesus noticed him he was able to speak into his life.

What act of courageous desperation got you to change your life?

If you are struggling at the moment, what courageous act do you need to embark upon in order to meet Jesus again?

"So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way." - Luke 19:4

Living in Grace
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Making room for Zacchaeus

 

 

I am not sure I would have ever invited Zacchaeus for a family meal in our home. He was the kind of guy everyone loved to hate and many people showed their dislike of him in the way they treated him. However, Jesus saw him in a different light. Jesus had such an amazing gift of seeing the potential in people and looking beyond their sins in order to draw them into the Kingdom.

While most religious people were shaking their heads at Jesus's decision to hang out with sinners, Jesus was busy revealing God's love for Zacchaeus's of this world. When most Pharisees were afraid that the sins of others may rub off on them, Jesus was allowing Grace and Mercy to transform people desperate for God.

There are so many lessons in the story of Zacchaeus, but the one I leave us with is this: "Are we willing to make room for sinners in our midst? Will we make another place available at our table so they can join us?"

^"When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” - Luke 19:1-10

Living in Grace
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