06
Change My Heart
John TiltonLuke 19:1-8
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 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.”
Zacchaeus sure had a change of heart, based on his initial desire only “to see who Jesus was.” If he proceeded to climb the tree in order to see who Jesus was, it seems that he didn’t really know much about Jesus. His first interaction with Jesus is Jesus telling him to come down from the tree, then Jesus saying, I need to stay at your house. I wonder, if I really didn’t know someone, even though perhaps hearing that the person was drawing crowds, would I quickly respond the way we see that Zacchaeus did? Probably not. But Zacchaeus did respond quickly and in fact was willing to give half of his possessions to the poor and give those he cheated, four times the amount he cheated them out of. I surmise that the transforming power of Jesus Christ moved Zacchaeus’ heart and spirit, by the presence of Jesus and the power in Jesus’ word to him.
We too have the transforming presence and power of Jesus available daily before us through His word and through prayer. In fact … 24/7. We also have the blessing of knowing all about Jesus through His word and teachings; not needing to find out who Jesus is like Zacchaeus did. My desire is to have the presence and power of Jesus manifested in my life daily, to transform me, that I would be in obedience to His will and not stumble and sin, and instead follow through in who I am and what I know I am called to do for Him.
Dear Lord, may I be more cognizant and mindful or your presence and power that is mine for the taking each day. Furthermore, that my diligence in seeking time with you and your word, that my defenses against the enemy be strengthened to be an offense for your will in my life. Dear Lord, please recalibrate my heart to you daily through your power and presence.
