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 Exodus 16:21 They gathered manna every morning.Labour to maintain a sense of thine entire dependence upon the Lord's good will and pleasure for the continuance of thy richest enjoyments. Never try to live on the old manna, nor seek to find help in Egypt. All must come from Jesus, or thou art undone forever. Old anointings will not suffice to impart unction to thy spirit; thine head must have fresh oil poured upon it from the golden horn of the sanctuary, or it will cease from its glory. To-day thou mayest be upon the summit of the mount of God, but he who has put thee there must keep thee there, or thou wilt sink far more speedily than thou dreamest. Thy mountain only stands firm when he settles it in its place; if he hide his face, thou wilt soon be troubled. If the Saviour should see fit, there is not a window through which thou seest the light of heaven which he could not darken in an instant. Joshua bade the sun stand still, but Jesus can shroud it in total darkness. He can withdraw the joy of thine heart, the light of thine eyes, and the strength of thy life; in his hand thy comforts lie, and at his will they can depart from thee. This hourly dependence our Lord is determined that we shall feel and recognize, for he only permits us to pray for "daily bread," and only promises that "as our days our strength shall be." Is it not best for us that it should be so, that we may often repair to his throne, and constantly be reminded of his love? Oh! how rich the grace which supplies us so continually, and doth not refrain itself because of our ingratitude! The golden shower never ceases, the cloud of blessing tarries evermore above our habitation. O Lord Jesus, we would bow at thy feet, conscious of our utter inability to do anything without thee, and in every favor which we are privileged to receive, we would adore thy blessed name and acknowledge thine unexhausted love. Daily Light on the Daily Path Exodus 19:6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."Revelation 5:9,10 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. • "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." 1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Isaiah 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 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. 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