Monday Reading: Luke 19:1-10
Key Verse: Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Devotion:
How the world views us and how we think we should be are probably two very different things. How we see ourselves and how the world sees us are, again, probably two very different things. How we are and how God sees us are not different at all because He alone is the One who actually does know what we are like. He can see us from the inside and not just the façade we put on for others to see.
Everyone around Zacchaeus saw him for what they thought he was, a tax collector, someone not to be trusted because of the dishonest life many of them lead. He was no exception either because he had already taken far too much in taxes than was required of him. That is how they made their money, by taking more than they should so that they could pay the authorities on time even if they had not collected from everyone. Of course that is no excuse for anyone to take what they should not but Christ already knew that Zacchaeus was a man seeking a better life.
What could be better than being rich and owning all manner of things? A life that is honest and blameless – something that he knew he did not have and had no hope of obtaining whilst he continued to work as a tax-collector. If we are honest with ourselves then we too will want a better life and not just a richer life – where then does that need for a better life come from? It is what God has put in our hearts from the beginning and it is something that we tend to destroy or ignore as soon as we are able. God has not come to level anything that is not good because if that were true we would already all be dead. Instead, Christ came to earth so that He could show people that they can turn away from their sinful lives and take on a new life. Zacchaeus found out that he had to change and he had to make things right. If we are willing to make that sort of change in our lives then we should also be seeking God’s forgiveness just as he did. Zacchaeus was a man who wanted change – but he was the one who had to make the move after Christ showed him the error of his ways.
Points to Ponder:
Do you think you are too rotten to save?
Christ can see you for what you want to be!