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From Turncoat to Disciple: Zacchaeus’ Story
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL IS LUKE 19:1-10
Do you believe in miracles? Because today’s Gospel is one.
It’s the miracle of one man living without hope who has a life-changing encounter.
Listen to Allen’s reflection to discover the simple, powerful thing that changed this man’s life–and will change yours.
| Loved and Forgiven By Julia Prins Vanderveen — Sunday, April 25, 2021 Scripture Reading: Luke 19:1-10 [Zacchaeus] ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. Luke 19:4 Earlier this month, we read about Gideon, who was called out from under a tree to serve God in a special role (Judges 6). In this story, another unlikely man is called—but, in this case, Zacchaeus was up in a tree! This story captures the imaginations of children and adults because of the delightfully humorous picture of a short man clambering up a tree to see over the heads of other people as Jesus passes by. We should pay attention to the immediate relationship Jesus begins with Zacchaeus. Notice also the muttering of the people who pass judgment on both Zacchaeus and Jesus. Nothing is said about Zacchaeus and Jesus’ response to the hostility of the crowd. Instead, we see how Zacchaeus and Jesus demonstrate vulnerability and hospitality and how Jesus makes space for repentance and forgiveness. How does this story speak to you? Do you identify with Zacchaeus, having done wrong and having often been overlooked? Do you identify with the muttering crowd, who are on the lookout for the mistakes of others? Do you identify with Jesus, who looks over the crowd and sees people for who they really are: found, loved, and celebrated? For every one of us, everywhere, let’s pray that Jesus will look up and call us from our perches and invite us to spend time with him. He will make things right in our lives so that we can extend compassion to anyone we may have misunderstood or taken advantage of along the way. Lord Jesus, invite us to come and walk with you. Show us how to live as your fully loved and forgiven children. Amen. |
Fr. Mike compares the story of the rich young man to the story of Zacchaeus, highlighting the difference in their willingness to follow Christ with their whole hearts. Looking at the stories of these young men, Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on our willingness to follow Christ with all that we are and all that we have. Today we read Luke 17-19 and Proverbs 26:13-16.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/coaraYWTJTM
