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Wonderful Things Happen to Those Seeking Jesus
CHICAGO, IL (March 24, 2005) - In preparation for Easter, Covenant
Communications is publishing a series of online devotionals, gleaned
from the more than 250 local church newsletters received each month and
used with permission of the writers. The following devotional comes from
pastor Linnea E. Carnes of Immanuel Covenant Church in Chicago.
By Linnea E. Carnes
When you think about the story of Zacchaeus, you realize that Zacchaeus
had far better things to do that day than climb a tree to get a look at
Jesus. He had taxes to collect, other tax collectors who worked under
him to prod and, of course, money to count.
Zacchaeus was too short on time to waste any of it seeking Jesus. You
may know some people who are too short on time to seek Jesus, letting
the demands of life - work, family, television, projects, fun - keep
them from seeking Jesus. Everything in their lives is more important
than Jesus.
Come to think of it, Zacchaeus didn't really need Jesus. He had money,
power, status. You probably know some people who have power and wealth
and don't think they need Jesus. Their pride won't let them do more than
use Jesus' name as a swear word. After all, what would people think if
they got "religion."
Even more significant is the fact that Zacchaeus didn't deserve Jesus.
He was a crook. He used his own people to get rich. Everyone hated him,
and Zacchaeus knew it. He was a Jew, but he didn't live according to the
law. He wasn't good enough to get near Jesus, so he climbed a tree.
Jesus saw him and invited himself to Zacchaeus' house that day. Jesus
looked beyond Zacchaeus' unworthiness. The people in the crowd only saw
a sinner - Jesus saw a man who needed a Savior.
I wonder what Zacchaeus was hoping to see that day? A miracle? Probably,
since Jesus' fame had spread as a miracle worker. Yet a miracle did
happen when Jesus met Zacchaeus. Suddenly this miser wanted to give his
possessions to the poor and needy. This crook wanted to make restitution
to those he had cheated. This sinner wanted to be made right with God.
The miracle happened to Zacchaeus.
Wonderful things happen to those who seek Jesus. They find that Jesus
has been seeking them. Outcasts suddenly become accepted. The unworthy
find they are worthy after all. The friendless find a friend. Those who
are too short to be noticed suddenly stand tall among others. The
sinners find a Savior. And the good news is that Jesus is seeking us:
wanting to do a miracle in our lives, wanting to transform us into the
people that God intended us to be, wanting to make us, like Zacchaeus,
walking advertisements of the power of God.
We only need to open the door and invite him in.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
