Wednesday 20 Aug 2014

August 20: Luke 19:1-9

Key Verse: Luke 19:8
Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

Devotion:
When you get to know that you have done something wrong, how do you react? Many of us try to either pass the blame on to someone else or change the rules so that we look like we are not wrong. That is not what God is after in our lives. God wants us to be open and honest with Him and to admit that we have done things the wrong way. When we are able to admit to Him that we do things wrong we are then able to receive forgiveness when He gives it to us and to move forward in our lives. Hiding behind our wrong-doings is not going to help anyone other than Satan when it comes down to it because he is the one who will be able to abuse you through your guilt and shame.

Being able to be set free from that guilt and shame is what we should be aiming for so that we can start our new life with God and not fighting each step of the way. When Zacchaeus saw how wrong he was in doing what he was doing he repented and wanted to make a difference. It did not matter that every other tax collector could have been as corrupt as him and that the authorities turned a blind eye, it was the fact that he now knew his failings and admitted them. That is what turned his heart around and prompted him to promise to return all his ill-gained money.

Giving away all the riches you have is difficult when you have grown used to a lifestyle of riches, but if they have not been gained in a correct manner, the shame and guilt is still inside of you. That is because God has given us a conscience that allows us to know what is right and wrong even if we bend the rules and try to get our own ways.

Zacchaeus was willing to make a big difference and to change his own life, but he needed the kick-start in the beginning. When Jesus was willing to come to his house even though He knew Zacchaeus was in the wrong, it made a big difference. We need to stand by Jesus’ example and show other people we still care even when they are wrong.

Points to Ponder:
Do you turn your back on people who do wrong?

Are you willing to support someone?