Word@Work Luke282 - Luke 19:8-9
Published: Mon, 01/31/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DETERMINED TO REPENT
Luke 19:8-9 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham." (NIV)
Zacchaeus was corrupt. Everybody knew that his wealth came from dishonest accounting. He was a government tax collector who claimed far more than his salary and expenses. As the chief of the other local tax collectors, he probably took a percentage of their fraudulent incomes as well. It was no wonder that no one in the crowd wanted him around when Jesus came to Jericho. But, to everybody's surprise, Jesus did want him! At the Lord's command the little man led the Master to his house, and those who watched saw a real conversion as the cheat repented.
Repentance is essential if we are to get right with God, and Zacchaeus knew it. He may have wanted to get rid of his sin-burden for some time, but there was no credible religious way to do it. However, when he knew Jesus was coming, he seized his moment to see Him. Of course, Jesus knew exactly what was in Zacchaeus' heart. With Jesus seated as the guest of honour, the corrupt civil servant stood up to repent. But it was not just words: he knew his greedy thefts were wrong and so he immediately pledged half of his wealth to the poor, and 400% interest of his own money on every dishonest tax taken. Face to face with Jesus, repentance was in his heart, confession was on his lips and restitution was his clear intention. He had turned right around in his heart, mind and actions: that is real conversion.
Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus' task was not to make life nice for people, but to reconcile sinful people with the Holy God. There can be no real reconciliation without wholehearted repentance by sinners. Cheap repentance is common these days; a quick 'sorry' without any determination to restore the relationship in converted action is meaningless. Dutiful religion by itself is no substitute for repentance, nor is any amount of emotional experiences or mere words. But when repentance leads to a turn-about of our actions, it is evidence that salvation has truly come. The Christian who is determined to mature is also determined to repent - so let us examine ourselves with God's help, repent, confess, restore and change our lives so that Jesus will be seen by others as the One who brings salvation.
Prayer: Loving God. Thank You that You love all that You have made and encourage all to come to repentance and salvation. Please forgive me when I have ignored my sin or treated it casually. Help me to see myself as You see me; and grant me the grace to repent in my heart and be determined to make the necessary changes which will enable me to live a godly life which pleases You. Help me also to stimulate others to approach Jesus with confidence because of my willingness to admit when I am wrong and seek His help to change. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Zacchaeus was corrupt. Everybody knew that his wealth came from dishonest accounting. He was a government tax collector who claimed far more than his salary and expenses. As the chief of the other local tax collectors, he probably took a percentage of their fraudulent incomes as well. It was no wonder that no one in the crowd wanted him around when Jesus came to Jericho. But, to everybody's surprise, Jesus did want him! At the Lord's command the little man led the Master to his house, and those who watched saw a real conversion as the cheat repented.
Repentance is essential if we are to get right with God, and Zacchaeus knew it. He may have wanted to get rid of his sin-burden for some time, but there was no credible religious way to do it. However, when he knew Jesus was coming, he seized his moment to see Him. Of course, Jesus knew exactly what was in Zacchaeus' heart. With Jesus seated as the guest of honour, the corrupt civil servant stood up to repent. But it was not just words: he knew his greedy thefts were wrong and so he immediately pledged half of his wealth to the poor, and 400% interest of his own money on every dishonest tax taken. Face to face with Jesus, repentance was in his heart, confession was on his lips and restitution was his clear intention. He had turned right around in his heart, mind and actions: that is real conversion.
Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus' task was not to make life nice for people, but to reconcile sinful people with the Holy God. There can be no real reconciliation without wholehearted repentance by sinners. Cheap repentance is common these days; a quick 'sorry' without any determination to restore the relationship in converted action is meaningless. Dutiful religion by itself is no substitute for repentance, nor is any amount of emotional experiences or mere words. But when repentance leads to a turn-about of our actions, it is evidence that salvation has truly come. The Christian who is determined to mature is also determined to repent - so let us examine ourselves with God's help, repent, confess, restore and change our lives so that Jesus will be seen by others as the One who brings salvation.
Prayer: Loving God. Thank You that You love all that You have made and encourage all to come to repentance and salvation. Please forgive me when I have ignored my sin or treated it casually. Help me to see myself as You see me; and grant me the grace to repent in my heart and be determined to make the necessary changes which will enable me to live a godly life which pleases You. Help me also to stimulate others to approach Jesus with confidence because of my willingness to admit when I am wrong and seek His help to change. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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