Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Compassion As A Lifestyle" – Thursday, 23 October 2014 - Scripture: Luke 18:18-25,19:1-10

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Compassion As A Lifestyle" – Thursday, 23 October 2014 - Scripture: Luke 18: The Rich Official
18 One day one of the local officials asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life?”
19-20 Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good—only God. You know the commandments, don’t you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother.”
21 He said, “I’ve kept them all for as long as I can remember.”
22 When Jesus heard that, he said, “Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go.
24-25 Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.”
Zacchaeus
19:1-4 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
5-7 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”
8 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”
9-10 Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”
"Compassion As A Lifestyle" by Jerry D. Porter
In the gospel of Luke, chapters 18 and 19, we find a fascinating contrast between a rich young ruler and Zacchaeus. They both wanted to see Jesus: the earnest ruler was searching for salvation, while Zacchaeus was simply curious. They were both wealthy: the ruler had earned his wealth honorably, while Zacchaeus was an exploiter.
Jesus loved them both. He told the ruler to give his wealth to the poor and follow Him. At first glance this request seems too demanding. This invitation, however, was only given to a few. This ruler could hae been included in the Lord's inner circle of the disciples! Meanwhile, Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus to his home. As a result of their encounter, Zacchaeus gave half of his wealth to the poor and made reparations for his exploitive behavior.
The rich young ruler went away sad because he had great wealth and no compassion. Zacchaeus received the gift of forgiveness with joy and found his heart moved with compassion for those around him.

By God’s grace, we can embrace Christ and let compassion become our lifestyle!

Hymn for Today:

"Jesus Calls Us" by Cecil F. Alexander
1. Jesus calls us o'er the tumult 
of our life's wild, restless sea; 
day by day his sweet voice soundeth, 
saying, "Christian, follow me!" 
2. As of old the apostles heard it 
by the Galilean lake, 
turned from home and toil and kindred, 
leaving all for Jesus' sake. 
3. Jesus calls us from the worship 
of the vain world's golden store, 
from each idol that would keep us, 
saying, "Christian, love me more!" 
4. In our joys and in our sorrows, 
days of toil and hours of ease, 
still he calls, in cares and pleasures, 
"Christian, love me more than these!" 
5. Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, 
Savior, may we hear thy call, 
give our hearts to thine obedience, 
serve and love thee best of all.
Thought for Today:

““I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind."(Luke 6:3536).
Prayer Needs:
For the deelopment of Christian leaders in Puerto Rico.
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