Bible League: Living His Word Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor."— Luke 19:8 NKJV Two individuals came to Jesus, each with a deep spiritual problem. One found life, but the other lost it. What was the difference? The first person was a rich young ruler who approached the Lord with the most burning question of his heart: "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18). He was not seeking a religious debate as so many others did. He honestly wanted to know. When Jesus listed five of the commandments, the young man replied that he had a perfect record in keeping them all. Christ simply responded to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor... and come, follow Me" (Luke 18:22). Scripture tells us that the rich ruler went away sorrowful (Matthew 19:22). The second man (Luke 19:2 – 19:8) was also rich, but he had gained his wealth by shamelessly defrauding others. Zacchaeus was a well-known crook and most people hated tax collectors. When Jesus came to his house, He said nothing to the man about selling his house or giving his money away. Amazingly, Zacchaeus freely made the decision to give half of his possessions to the poor and restore four times the amount he stole to everyone he had cheated. Both the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus were rich. But what was it that compelled Zacchaeus to respond so differently than the rich young ruler? When Zacchaeus saw Christ, he saw the pearl of great price. Zacchaeus realized that all things pertaining to life are in Christ alone. He realized, "If I have Him, I can easily give away everything." Since His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3), what else do I need? But when the young ruler saw Jesus, he didn't see that pearl of great price in Christ Jesus. If we could know what his thoughts were that day, I imagine most of them were focused on what he would be giving up, more than what he would gain in Christ. We very often make the same mistake as the rich young ruler. We truly want to follow Christ and experience His abundant life, but we focus on what we may have to give up and are afraid to let go of those things we have relied on for so long. The things of this world give us a false sense of security which we cling to. We call it "being wise," "being practical," and use other terms to explain it away. Ever tried "being foolish" for the Lord? Ever tried "letting go" of the things this world clings to for security? I challenge you to try it. The Lord targets that "one thing" we grasp so tightly and depend on. As long as we trust in that one thing, we will never be able to experience the fullness of Christ. It almost always results in frustration and discouragement on our part. In addition, that one thing will be a constant hindrance to the rivers of living water that might flow freely out from us in order to give life to others. How do we recognize the "one thing" that is still holding us back? We will know it by the discouragement, tension, bitterness, frustration, and irritation that fills our hearts, when that "one thing" is tampered with. Ask God for the courage to surrender it to the Lord. Let us not focus on what we are letting go, but set our hearts on what we shall gain in Christ&mdashthe pearl of great price. Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 19, 20, 21 Psalm 19 -- The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 20 -- May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 21 -- The king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 19:21-41 Acts 19 -- Miracles, Preaching and Riot in Ephesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”Insight What does Jesus want from us? Total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. Challenge We can't pick and choose among Jesus' ideas and follow him selectively; we have to accept the cross along with the crown, judgment as well as mercy. We must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given us security. With our focus on Jesus, we should allow nothing to distract us from the manner of living that he calls good and true. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 102:13, 14 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.A selfish man in trouble is exceedingly hard to comfort, because the springs of his comfort lie entirely within himself, and when he is sad all his springs are dry. But a large-hearted man full of Christian philanthropy, has other springs from which to supply himself with comfort beside those which lie within. He can go to his God first of all, and there find abundant help; and he can discover arguments for consolation in things relating to the world at large, to his country, and, above all, to the church. David in this Psalm was exceedingly sorrowful; he wrote, "I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top." The only way in which he could comfort himself, was in the reflection that God would arise, and have mercy upon Zion: though he was sad, yet Zion should prosper; however low his own estate, yet Zion should arise. Christian man! learn to comfort thyself in God's gracious dealing towards the church. That which is so dear to thy Master, should it not be dear above all else to thee? What though thy way be dark, canst thou not gladden thine heart with the triumphs of his cross and the spread of his truth? Our own personal troubles are forgotten while we look, not only upon what God has done, and is doing for Zion, but on the glorious things he will yet do for his church. Try this receipt, O believer, whenever thou art sad of heart and in heaviness of spirit: forget thyself and thy little concerns, and seek the welfare and prosperity of Zion. When thou bendest thy knee in prayer to God, limit not thy petition to the narrow circle of thine own life, tried though it be, but send out thy longing prayers for the church's prosperity, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," and thine own soul shall be refreshed. Daily Light on the Daily Path Nehemiah 4:9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 1 Peter 5:7-9 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. • Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. • But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. • After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Luke 6:46 "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. Exodus 14:15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. • And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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