The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Tuesday, 28 January 2014 - “Out
on a Limb” Read Luke 19: Jesus and Zacchaeus
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was
there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was
trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because
he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see
him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 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.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who
saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a
sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my
possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of
anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today
salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For
the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
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.”
— Luke 19:5 (NRSV)
I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries. I’ve seen people living
in the lap of luxury and on the edge of poverty. I’ve met and worked with
people of all faiths, socioeconomic classes, and political persuasions. I’ve
learned that what people want most, no matter where they reside, is to live and
love, enjoy their friends and family, and provide a better future for their
children. Yet our perception of differences can create misunderstanding and a
sense that “we” are right, so “they” must be wrong. Even though we may feel
compassion or sympathy for others, we may find it difficult to reach out to
them — to go to their place as Jesus did with Zacchaeus. Jesus called Zacchaeus
from that tree and went to his place — the place where he ate and slept and
lived with his family. Jesus didn’t ask him to come down and head for the
nearest church. If we are to follow the call of Christ, we must go where people
are to truly know them. If we really want to reach them, we may even have to
climb some trees. But when we do, the view might be amazing.--The Author-Teresa
Cannady (Florida, USA)
Thought for the Day: Christ calls us to meet people where they
are — even if they are just next door.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the differences that make us
unique. Teach us to meet people wherever they are and share your love with
them. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone who makes me uncomfortable
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