Nehemiah 8:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, Luke 4:14-21 Listen and Obey

There is a common thread in the readings from Nehemiah 8:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21, and it is freedom from slavery. In the case of the reading from Nehemiah, the story takes place after the Israelites have returned from captivity in Babylon. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus mentions that he has come to free us from the captivity of son.

Jesus came to give us our jubilee-our freedom.  We are all captives to our sinful, human nature. The readings from Nehemiah and Luke show us that we as Christians have to come together to hear God’s Word and be taught what it means and how it applies to us. The only way the passage from Isaiah that Jesus read can be fulfilled is if we all come together and work together. We are all part of the one body of Christ that Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians. We are stronger when we are united and work together. Locally, we are stronger when we work with other churches in such ventures as the recent Shepherd’s Walk and the annual Good Friday Walk of the Cross.

The story from Nehemiah is part of a story about rebuilding. In the reading we heard earlier this morning, the temple has just been rebuilt, following the Israelites’ return from captivity in Babylon. There were roughly 50,000 people in the congregation that day. They were hungry for God’s Word. They were not anxious for the service to conclude-unlike many churchgoers today. God gave the Israelites some wonderful gifts: land, security, abundance and prosperity. The memory of those gifts bound the people together; but over time they grew cynical and careless about their faith. The people called on the prophet Ezra to read from the Law of Moses, and they responded to God’s Word. They were eager to hear the Word of God. When they heard the Word of God, they cried because when they looked at their history and compared it to God’s Word, they realized that they screwed up big time!!!! 

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the congregation Jesus preached to in the reading from Luke’s Gospel. As we will see in the Gospel reading next Sunday, the crowd was ready to kill him after he said that he was the long-promised Messiah. They could not accept that he was the Messiah. To them, he was just a gifted preacher who was the son of a carpenter. They were ready to hear God’s Word, but in contrast to the congregation who heard Ezra’s preaching, they were not moved by the Holy Spirit. They were out for profit and the status quo, even though both Jesus and the passage from Isaiah told them that the status quo wrong! Jesus dared to tell them that God's love was for everyone. He illustrated that his message was for everyone by referring to Elijah being sent to the widow of Zarapeth, who was a Gentile. Elisha healed Naaman the Syrian-not a Jew, but a Gentile. If God can be so gracious and quick to attend to the needs of a poor widow in Sidon and an undeserving Gentile in Syria, what gave the Jewish elders the right to say who belongs in the kingdom and who doesn't? They wanted to hear how the Jews were God's chosen people and how salvation belonged only to them.

We can understand a little of how they felt. They were God's chosen people. They had been persecuted all of their lives because they maintained God's word and kept up the Jewish customs. They built the temples and synagogues and tried to live as God wanted them to live because they were God's chosen people. It is true that when you are persecuted people you have to develop a sense of pride in order to survive. When pride becomes exclusive, it becomes dangerous. It's hard for persecuted people to hear that others will be included in the same grace that they will know and feel they have deserved.

It's hard for us also. It's okay as long as food is delivered to our door, but what about when grace is extended to our neighbour. It's hard for us to accept that Christianity is growing in all areas of the world except for North America and Europe. It's hard for us to hear that other people are prospering in the Word of God.

The people of Nazareth rejected the Gospel because its vision included both Jews and Gentiles. Paul even argued in 1 Corinthians 12:14 that "For the body is not one member,. but many". We are all members of the one body of Christ. Jesus came to restore sight to the blind, but the people of Nazareth wanted to keep their narrow vision.

The people in Galilee had an expectation of what the Messiah could be. They expected him to be a military ruler who would drive out the Romans and restore Israel to the glory days of the reign of King David. They did not expect a Messiah who would urge them to care for those whom they considered to be unclean-the poor, the sick, prostitutes, etc. Unlike the congregation Ezra preached to, the congregation in the synagogue did not accept the concept of grace.  

The Scriptures were long neglected by the Israelites, and they were neglected by the people in the synagogue. The people were nearly illiterate when it came to the Scriptures, and many of us are also scripturally illiterate. It is like the story of the pastor who visited a Sunday School class one day. He asked the students, "Who broke down the walls of Jericho?" One child answered, "Not me, I didn't do it, Pastor". The pastor asked the teacher if that answer was typical of her students, and the teacher replied, "I know that student. If he said he didn't do it, he didn't do it!"

The pastor then went to the Sunday School superintendent and told him what happened. The superintendent replied that it was the best class, and that he was sure that no one in the class was guilty. A few days later the pastor told the story to the church's board, and the treasurer spoke up, "Pastor, I move that we pay for the damage and charge it to upkeep!"

We, like the people who heard the prophet Ezra speak, need to be always ready to hear God’s Word. The only way we can discover God’s true nature is to study and hear Scripture and apply it in our lives and our world. By worshipping on our knees or with our faces to the ground, we remind ourselves that he is our sovereign and we are his subjects. While we need to study God’s Word on our own, we also need to gather with fellow believers on a regular basis to hear God’s Word explained-just like Jesus and Ezra explained God’s Word to the people. God’s Word and God’s joy give us strength because when we feel weak (as we often will on our Christian walk of life) he loves us enough to step in and help us. He loves to save us and forgive us. He loves to show his love to all believers.

The reading of Scripture has great influence on each generation that hears it, but how each generation hears Scripture and interprets its relevance is always a source of debate and conflict. Scriptures are often complex and rooted in a particular time, and therefore they require interpretation-interpretation provided by people like me and our ordained clergy. We need to know not only how the Scriptures applied in the time they were written, but also how they apply to our lives today, especially since we live in a different time and place.

The crowd in the synagogue knew that the text Jesus read from Isaiah was a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. Jesus announced to the crowd that he was the Messiah Isaiah referred to. Jesus ushered in a new age with his words, just like Ezra’s words ushered in a new age. When the people heard the Word of God from Ezra, it became a source for reform and a means of new life for the community. The people in the rebuilt temple were prepared to throw a party to celebrate their return to a godly way of life, and they were prepared to share their goods with the poor. The passage Jesus read from Isaiah said the same thing-show concern for the poor. The Israelites longed for the world to be a better place, and we also long for the world to be a better place. The only way it will be a better place is if we hear and obey the Word of God, especially the part about showing care and compassion to the poor.  

When Ezra and Jesus read from the Old Testament texts, they preached in God’s power. God’s power was unleashed, but the people had to stop and listen. We also have to stop and listen to God’s Word carefully. Paul said in the reading from 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 that  we have to listen carefully to God’s Word without distraction. The freedom promised in God’s Word is only available when we are not absorbed in ourselves or self-centered or isolated. The freedom comes when we come together as part of one body of Christ. The people who heard Jesus speak in the temple did not know how to listen to the Word of God because they were isolated. They believed that they were God’s chosen people, and they also believed that they were better than other people, especially the Samaritans and the Gentiles and other people that Jesus cared for. The people who heard Ezra speak were hungry for the Word of God. God’s Word has the power to change the lives of those who hear it.

The light of Christ that resides in us should attract others to us. We need to be the most positive people on earth, and we need to see opportunity in the midst of life’s challenges. That is what Jesus tried to tell the congregation in the synagogue. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 that we are all part of the one body of Christ. We are all united. We have to work together to do his work in the world.

Jesus and the Word of God will fix everything that sin has ruined. They will make everything new, including the reversal of Satan’s curse. This is done through the church, the body of believers. The anointing of the Holy Spirit will give us the tools we need to turn to God and do his work in our world. The readings from Nehemiah and Luke show us that it is one thing to quote the Scriptures, but it is another thing to believe in what the Scriptures teach us. The good news is not just for the poor, the blind and the oppressed. They will receive it more gladly than others because they have much to gain and little to lose. The rich, the powerful and the elite will not be nearly as receptive.

The Scriptures should fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can spread joy in the world, just like Jesus came to spread joy in the world. By referring to the Holy Spirit, we express the active presence of God in the world. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus for his task in the world, and it empowers us to continue to do his work in our world.

Both readings also symbolize the renewal of covenants between God and his people. Nehemiah led the Israelites in the rebuilding of the temple, and in the process there was a spiritual renewal. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God by projecting a vision of hope. God’s Word restores our relationship with him when we take part in the Eucharist. We become different people when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We celebrate and share with humanity’s children. We have been set free and we enjoy the special favour of God. God’s Word shines a light into our darkness and continues to set us free. Since we have experienced the freedom God offers to us, we must encourage others to seek and accept the freedom God offers to everyone.

Thanks be to God, AMEN

Bibliography

1.      Preaching Magazine, November/December 2012 (Nashville, TN: Salem Publishing Inc.; pp. 55-56)

2.      Stanley, C.F., The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Inc.; 2009)

3.      Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 3^rd Sunday, Year C”. Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org

4.      John Shearman’s Lectionary Resource, 3^rd Sunday After Epiphany, Year C. Retrieved from http://lectionary.seemslikegod.org/archives/third-sunday-after-epiphany-year-c.html

5.      Exegesis for Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6,8-10. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

6.      Mark D. Roberts, “Mardi Gras?” Retrieved from Newsletter@ThehighCalling.org

7.      Michael Demkovich, O.P., “In Your Hearing”. Retrieved from www.torch.op.org

8.      Diane Swinger, “The World is About to Turn”. Retrieved from www.colsoncenter.org

9.      Os Hillman, “How is Your Joy Quotient?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

10.  S. Michael Craven, “Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?” Retrieved from caw@donationnet.net

11.  F. B. Meyer, “Our Daily Homily”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

12.  Mike Benson, “Memorize”. Retrieved from http://forthright.net

13.  Rebecca Barlow Jordan, “Joy”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

14.  Dr. Charles F. Stanley, “How to Listen to the Word of God”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

15.  Jimmy Gentry, “A Lifetime of Days Holy to the Lord”. Retrieved from www.preaching.com

16.  The Rev. Dr. Mark Anschutz, “Sermon for the Third Sunday”. Retrieved from www.day1.org

17.  The Rev. David Jones, “Everything Depends on Remembering”. Retrieved from www.day1.org

18.  Lectionary Worship Resources, Year C-Epiphany 3. Retrieved from http://sacredise.com/lectionary/2010/01/year-c-epiphany-3/

19.  Sarah Dylan Breuer, “Dylan’s Lectionary Blog. Third Sunday After Epiphany, Year C”. Retrieved from http://www.sarah;aughed.net/lectionary/2007/01/third-sunday-after-epiphany-year-c.html

20.  Exegesis for Luke 4:14-21. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

21.  Swindoll, Charles R., Swindoll’s New Testament insights on Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Inc.; 2012)

22.  MacArthur, John, et al: How to Preach Biblically  (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2005)

23.  Gary L. Carver and Tom Garrison, "Prophet or Profit?". Retrieved from www.esermons.com

24.  Cynthia E. Cowen, "Love Walked Across the Field". Retrieved from www.esermons.com

25.  Robert A. Hausman, "The Call of the Tradition: Remember and Return". Retrieved from www.esermons.com

26.  Ron Lavin, "The Water Gate and The Word Proclaimed".  Retrieved from www.esermons.com

27.  Dr. Philip W. McClarty, "When Preaching Turns to Meddlin'" Retrieved form www.sermonwriter.com

28.  Dr. Philip W. McClarty, "Jesus' First Sermon". Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

29.  Gary L. Carver and Tom Garrison, "The Bible: Head and Heart". Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

30.  Exegesis for 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

31.   

 

 

 

 

Luke 4:14-21 Part of the Family of God

Good morning boys and girls!

How many of you like to go out on a nice, sunny day and play with your friends? Has anyone ever said that they can't play with you because they don't like you, or because of where you live, or because of who your parents are? Well boys and girls, I certainly know how you feel because I was shunned at times when I was your age.

Jesus also knows how you feel because he was often rejected because of what he told people. For example, in Luke 4:14-21 he attended worship services in the synagogue in his hometown. He was asked to read a portion of Scripture, and the reading he chose was written by the prophet Isaiah. That particular reading talked about the long-promised Messiah.

After he finished his reading, he told the people that he was the long-promised Messiah that Isaiah talked about. The people couldn't accept this statement because they saw him only as the son of Mary and Joseph, or as the son of a carpenter. That was a shame, because when they rejected him, they rejected someone who was part of the body of Christ that the apostle Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 12:21-31.

Boys and girls, someone else who knows about rejecting people is a  little boy named Johnny. Johnny was lying in his bed after a nice bath getting  ready to go to sleep. His mommy and daddy were seated on the bed beside him.  They were talking about things that had happened that day. Johnny's daddy  asked him, "Did you play with the new boy next door, today?" "No, he's weird," said  Johnny.

"What do you mean?" asked his  father. "He talks funny." said Johnny  trying to copy the way the new boy talks. Johnny made himself laugh, but his  parents didn't laugh. "I think the boy has trouble starting  words," said his Mother, "but if you wait for him, he can say anything anyone  else can say. You just have to wait for him."

"I still think he's weird," said  Johnny.

"Well," said his father, "God gives  different gifts to different people. You learn soccer fast, but you learn piano  slowly. You start words quickly, but he starts words slowly. Starting words is  not one of his gifts. Do you know what gifts God has given him?"

"No, I didn't think about it," said  Johnny.

"When you think someone is weird, you  aren't looking for the gifts God has given them, so you won't find them," said  his mother. "Tomorrow, you can find out one of his gifts. Maybe he is good at a  game."

"Maybe he can play marbles," Johnny  said.

"Remember in Church the story of  Pentecost where God gave something to each of the disciples that made their  faces light up, gave each one something wonderful?" asked his father.

"Yes!" said Johnny. "They all  caught on fire."

"The Bible doesn't say they caught on  fire," said his mother. "It says there was something like fire on their heads.  Maybe it was like fire because it was a bright light." "Maybe it was like fire because it  warmed their hearts," said his father. "We do know that God gave them the gift  to love one another, and God has given you that gift too, Johnny. God has  given you the gift of playing nicely with the boy next door."

Johnny had never thought about  that. He'd thought about other gifts from God but never the gift of playing  happily with the boy next door. So, he thought about that. But first they said a  prayer , and boys and girls, I'd like to you to close your eyes, bow your heads and repeat that same prayer after me.

Dear God, thank you for  giving us the gift of loving you and loving each other. Help us play happily  with the people next door. Amen.

 

Mark 4:21-34 How to Grow God's Kingdom

The Gospel reading from Mark 4:21-34 is a series of parables about the kingdom of God. Jesus used parables to explain the kingdom because the kingdom is so vast that our limited human minds can't understand it on our own. Jesus used these parables to explain the kingdom in terms that we, the disciples, and his audience could understand.

The parable of the sower explains how the kingdom can start in the hearts and minds of each and every one of us. Someone-a minister, a parent or another faithful servant of God-plants a tiny seed of faith in each and every one of us. It doesn't matter how the seed is planted, only that it is planted. Those of you who were farmers or who have planted any type of seed know that it can take a long time for the seed to grow into a strong, vibrant plant. We can water it and fertilize it all we want to, but nothing can speed up the process. It has to grow on its own, and we don't know how it grows.

Most of us have heard of the legend of Johnny Appleseed. That legend is based on fact. Johnny Appleseed's real name was John Chapman. He worked in a greenhouse and worked with plants, trees and shrubs. He really loved apple trees and planted them all around his hometown in Massachusetts. He really wanted people to enjoy apples as much as he did, so he traveled all around the United States planting apple trees and giving away apple seeds until he died in 1845. God wants us to be just as passionate about planting seeds of faith as Johnny Appleseed was about planting apple seeds.  

The parable of the mustard seed is a good example of the old saying that "big things come in small packages". A mustard seed is very small, but it grows into a shrub so large that even birds can make their nests in its branches-a symbol of the seed of faith being offered to everyone, including the Gentiles. The seed of faith is like that. For example, in 2007 I began my preaching ministry. In fact, the very first sermon I ever preached was based on the Parable of the Mustard Seed. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement, but God gave me the strength to get through it. That small act of faith has blossomed into a thriving preaching ministry. A similar seed was also planted in my heart in 2003 when I began my lay ministry. God used my father's terminal illness and subsequent passing to bring me back to Him and do his work in the world through my ministry.

In order for the seed of faith to be planted and grow in us, we need to hear the word of God. The kingdom of God is hard to understand, so Jesus took time to explain it. The kingdom was hidden from our earthly view, so Jesus used the parable of the lamp to explain that what was kept hidden in the darkness needed to be brought into the light. The kingdom of God has to be brought from the darkness of our limited ability to understand it through teaching from learned ministers, be they lay or ordained. Those who hear the word of God and take it to heart will be richly blessed.  

We, like the disciples, are expected to bear fruit by spreading the seeds of faith-namely, the Good News of salvation-and nurture it as best we can. Then, we have to let God go to work. God will eventually reap the harvest and save those who hear His word. The growth has to take place spontaneously and in the proper environment, and if it does, the kingdom will become even bigger than the bush produced by the mustard seed.

 Bibliography

 

1.       "Planting Seeds-Watching Them Grow". Retrieved from www.Sermons4Kids.com

2.      Exegesis for Mark 4:21-34. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

3.      McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J., The Preacher's Commentary Series; Volume 25:Mark (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.; 1982)

4.      Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, Inc.; 1994)

5.      MacArthur, J.F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)

6.      Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Part of Lessonmaker 8 Bible Software package

Luke 19:1-10 Praise the Lord, I Saw the Light!

There is a story about a fitness centre that was offering $1,000 to anyone who could show that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. The owner would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand the lemon to the challenger. Anyone who could squeeze just one more drop of juice out would win the money. Many people tried over time-other weightlifters, construction workers, even professional wrestlers, but no one could do it.

                                                         

One day, a short and skinny guy came in and signed up for the contest. After the laughter died down, the owner grabbed a lemon and squeezed away. Then he handed the wrinkled remains to the little man. The crowd’s laughter turned to silence as the man clenched his fist around the lemon and six drops fell into the glass. As the crowd cheered, the manager paid the winning prize and asked the short guy what he did for a living. “Are you a lumberjack, a weightlifter, or what?” the owner asked. The man replied, “I work for the Canada Revenue Agency”.  

In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were as popular as they are today, and Zacchaeus was no exception. Tax collectors were required to collect the amount of tax assessed by the Romans, but they often tried to collect as much tax revenue as they could from the people. The difference between what they paid to the government and what they collected was their salary. It’s no wonder that tax collectors such as Zacchaeus and Matthew were hated so much. To make matters worse, Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. He paid the Romans a fee to collect taxes in a certain area. In modern times, it would be similar to the owner of the local Tim Horton’s coffee shop paying a franchise fee to Tim Horton’s head office in Toronto. He likely had several tax collectors working under him. Zacchaeus was also short in stature, so in short (no pun intended!), he was nor your favourite person. For example, if he was a contestant on a modern day reality TV show, he would probably be one of the first contestants voted off!

So one day, he heard that Jesus is coming to town. He has likely heard about this dynamic young preacher, his teaching and healing. Like everyone else in town, Zacchaeus wanted to see what Jesus was all about, but there were so many people lining Jesus’ route that they blocked Zacchaeus’ view. What was the poor little guy to do?

Before I answer that, let me ask you a question. Have you ever wanted to see something so badly that you would do anything to see it, as long as what you would do is moral, legal and ethical? It doesn’t matter if it was your favourite TV show or your favourite entertainer in concert. What you do if you wanted to see it? Well, now you know how Zacchaeus felt, but I don’t think you would do something as drastic or as dangerous as he did. He climbed up a sycamore tree and crawled way out onto a tree limb to get a good view.  

Not only did Zacchaeus get a good view of Jesus, Jesus also got a good view of Zacchaeus-both physically and spiritually!! Why did Zacchaeus really want to see Jesus? Was it out of mere curiosity, or was there emptiness in his life that he wanted to fill. Most theologians think that it is the latter reason, because Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree so that they could have lunch together at Zacchaeus’ house.

Jesus shone his heavenly light on Zacchaeus’ heart and transformed it from a worldly priority to a spiritual priority. It is similar to a movie I saw recently. It was originally made in 1980, and it was called “The Blues Brothers”. It starred Dan Akroyd and the late John Belushi. In one scene, they attended a church service, but it was no ordinary church service. It was an evangelical service complete with singing, rolling in the aisles and dancing. At one point, a light shone down from heaven onto one of the Blues Brothers first, and then the other. As a result of this exposure, they believed that God had a mission for them-a mission that became the background for the rest of the movie.

Zacchaeus was quite wealthy, but his wealth could not buy him happiness. Apart from Roman officials and the tax collectors who worked for him, Zacchaeus had few friends because of both his job and his height (or lack of it). Unfortunately, there are too many people like Zacchaeus in the world today. They have all sorts of money and fame, but deep inside there is a spiritual emptiness that they try to fill with drugs, alcohol or illicit sex. These things do not fill the void-they only cover it up, with disastrous consequences. For example, one of the actors I referred to a moment ago-the late John Belushi- died in 1982 from a drug overdose that was caused by his passionate, non-stop, over the top, wild and crazy lifestyle. 

Sometimes people are lost and they either don’t know it or try to hide it behind clothes, the world, the car they drive, the home in which they live, drugs, alcohol or sex. People without God are in trouble. There are ten ways we know someone is lost:

1.      He has no concern about his situation.

2.      He does not know there is an actual destination.

3.      He thinks all roads are equally good, all exits the same, and all religions share the same truths.

4.      The highest test he knows for his ultimate welfare is his feelings.

5.      He rejects any claims of “the way” as too narrow, too demanding, too restrictive.

6.      He has grown comfortable in his lostness; it’s who he is.

7.      He despairs in his lostness and has quit looking for a way out.

8.      He tends to walk in circles.

9.      He will take directions from anyone

10.  He ignores God in his mind and heart. God calls; he doesn’t listen.

When Jesus decided to go to Zacchaeus’ house, it naturally caused the people to grumble, “Oh no! He’s going to hang out with tax collectors and sinners again”. Jesus didn’t care how the crowd reacted, because only he could see the transformation in Zacchaeus’ heart. He saw Zacchaeus as a treasure, and not as a con man or a sinner. Jesus provides an example of godly living, but more importantly, he gives us a way to enjoy an intimate relationship with him. In the words of Romans 3:23, we have all sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory. We are all lost, but Christ came into the world to save us-something that we could not do ourselves according to Romans 5:1-2. The world sees only the package, much like the crowd saw only Zacchaeus’ outer self; but Jesus sees the contents of the package without physically having to open it. In the case of Zacchaeus, Jesus could see Zacchaeus’ transformed heart, new-found faith and physical resources.

Jesus is always on a search and rescue mission, much like a shepherd is always looking for lost sheep. For example, in the Judean wilderness today, a shepherd will ask other shepherds to watch his flock while he goes to find a lost sheep. He will call out for it and throw rocks at the mouths of caves to scare a sheep out of hiding. When the shepherd has found the sheep, he will put it over his shoulders and hold its feet with one hand, while keeping his other hand free to hold his staff and defend himself against attacking animals. The shepherd can be heard singing and rejoicing that the sheep that was lost has been found.

Jesus and the angels in heaven are the same. Jesus made references to the rejoicing that goes on in heaven when a sinner repents. He was often pleased when the sinners he dealt with repented, so it is not surprising that he was pleased when Zacchaeus repented and offered to make restitution without even being asked to do so. 

This story is a parallel to the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-30. Both Zacchaeus and the ruler are rich and in positions of authority. The ruler could not part with his wealth, but Zacchaeus gave away half of his wealth without being asked to do so. He chose to do so out of gratitude and repentance. While the story of the rich young ruler caused Jesus to make the comment about a camel trying to get through the eye of a needle, the story of Zacchaeus ends with Jesus saying, “Today, salvation  has come to this house”. Zacchaeus did not beg for mercy or express sorrow.

Jesus can do the same for us today. We do not have to ask him to save us-he does so willingly. All we have to do is accept his message in faith, repent and accept him as our Saviour. Jesus will take care of the rest. 

 

As I mentioned a moment ago, Jesus is on a search and rescue mission. He is on a mission to seek and save the lost, but some of the lost do not want him to find them. They choose not to respond to his life of obedience and his sacrifice on the cross. Indeed, many of them laugh at his resurrection and his efforts to save their souls from sin, the devil and death. Zacchaeus might not have known that he was lost, but when he was found, he accepted his rescue. We are the same. Do we know we are lost? Do we want to be found? If so, will we accept Christ’s rescue and help him rescue more lost souls? As an old preacher once said, “If a man has a soul, and he has, and if that soul can be won or lost for eternity, and it can, then the most important thing in the world is to bring a man to Jesus Christ.”

The story of Zacchaeus is a metaphor for the mission of Jesus-received by the outcast, condemned by the authorities-and the murmuring followed him all the way to Jerusalem. We must follow God and start inviting ourselves and go out into the world and seek out others-just like Jesus and Zacchaeus sought each other out. If we are to be as Christ to others, whether we are leaders, teachers or lay persons, we, too, need to be aware of people’s pressing needs and seek, in Christ’s name, to minister to those needs. There is little point in preaching the gospel to homeless, hungry people without trying to first feed them and find them shelter. There’s little point of telling hurting lonely, disappointed people that God loves them if we do little or nothing to help them meet their present needs. In other words, we must practice what we preach. Jesus ministered to Zacchaeus’ spiritual needs. It is up to us to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of those around us.

 Bibliography

 

1.      Dr. Jack Graham, “Jesus Sees Beyond Your Reputation”. Retrieved from www.crosswalkmail.com

2.      Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New American Standard Version

3.      Ron Hutchcraft, “Homeless in Your Heart”. Retrieved from www.hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you

4.      Power for Life Bible, “Creative Packaging”. Retrieved from www.hourofpower.cc

5.      Dr. Robert H. Schuller, “The Lost Sheep”. Retrieved from www.hourofpower.cc

6.      Dr. Charles F. Stanley, “Who are ‘The Lost’?” Retrieved from www.intouch.org

7.      Dominic White, O.P., “Real Pleasures”. Retrieved from www.torch.op.org

8.      Exegesis for Luke 19:1-10. Retrieved from ww.sermonwriter.org

9.      Joe McKeever, “Lost (10 Ways We May Know People are Lost)”. Retrieved from www.joemckeever.com

10.  Ron Hutchcraft, “Discovering Your Global Positioning”. Retrieved from www.hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you

11.  Pastor Ken Klaus, “Not True”. Retrieved from www.lhm.org

12.  Unknown, “Search and Rescue team”. Retrieved from www.lhm.org

13.  Jill Carattini, “The Hidden”. Retrieved from www.sliceofinfinity.org

14.  Mike Benson, “Intrusion”. Retrieved from www.forthright.net/kneemail

15.  Mike Benson, “Lost”. Retrieved from www.forthright.net/kneemail

16.  Richard Inness, “People vs. Program-Centered”. Retrieved from www.actsweb.org

17.  Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, 31^st Sunday, Year C”. Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org

18.  Rev. William G. Wilson, CBF, “Changed from a Taker to a Giver”. Retrieved from www.day1.org

19.  John Wayne Clarke, “A Tax Collector Becomes Rich”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com

20.  Leonard Sweet, “Jesus’ Bad Manners”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com

21.  Autobiography of John Belushi. Retrieved from www.answers.com

 

Luke 19:1-10 Loving Others as God Loves Us

Good morning boys and girls!

Your Sunday school teachers have told me that today you’re going to be talking about saints. Well, I’m going to talk to you about someone who is not a saint, but who certainly acted like one after he met Jesus.

Let me start by asking you to use your imagination for a moment. Let’s suppose that you have moved to a new town, and that you have started attending a new school. You soon find out that everyone thinks the way you dress is funny. They think the way you talk is weird. They hate the TV shows that you like. They think that the jokes you like are boring. Every time you say something, they shake their heads in disgust. You are the most hated student in the school. How do you think you would feel?  

Suddenly, one day while you’re eating your lunch alone, two other kids sit down beside you. At first you think that they’re going to play a joke on you, but instead they ask you how you like your lunch. Then, you begin to talk about things such as teachers, homework and pets. They are very friendly to you. How do you think you would feel now? After a few weeks, your new friends, who have been so kind to you, ask you to go to church with them. Now think about whether or not you will go to church with them.

Even when it’s hard, we must remember that God’s love is for everyone. When we show His love, it helps others learn about God’s love. Our kind actions can make a big difference in someone’s life.  

Now I’m going to tell you about a man named Zacchaeus. He was not very well liked because of his job and the fact that he was also very short. One day he heard that Jesus was coming to town. He has heard about Jesus and wanted to see him, but because of the crowds he could not get close enough. Zacchaeus didn’t let that stop him though. He climbed up in a tree (like some of you probably have) to get a good view.

Jesus also saw Zacchaeus, and told him to come down because Jesus had to go to his house that day. When no one else cared about Zacchaeus, Jesus cared!  Zacchaeus was so moved that he promised to give half of his wealth to the poor, and pay back four times what he had taken from other people. What a difference Jesus’ love made in Zacchaeus’ life!

We can do to others what Jesus did for Zacchaeus. We can ask Jesus to help us love the unlovable. We must always look for chances to show God’s love to others, even when it might be hard to do. We never know whose life Jesus may change because we showed his love.

Let us pray:

Lord, thank you for your love. We know you love everyone. Help us to love others, even when it’s hard to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.