19
Miraculous Repentance
Tim Savage9Jesus responded,“Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown
himself to be a true son of Abraham.10For the Son of Mancame to seek and save
those who are lost.” Luke 19
“Zacchaeus was a wee little man and wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree to see what he could see.” I grew up singing this song about the hated tax collector that invited Jesus to his house to eat. “And Jesus said, ‘I’m coming to your house today, I’m coming to your house today.’” Isn’t it funny what your brain remembers; yet I forget the important things. Jesus didn’t choose to do the popular things; His decision to spend time with Zacchaeus didn’t go over with the crowd well, but Jesus didn’t come to earth to hang out with the popular “in” crowd. He came to save the lost. Zacchaeus was a Jew and for years he cheated his own people collecting taxes for the Roman government, so he was doubly hated. I can imagine his noticeable wealth and visibly lavish lifestyle really frustrated and annoyed his community. Then, add insult to injury, Jesus chooses the short, fat guy hanging out of the tree to have lunch with. They must have been so upset.
But this story took a dramatic turn when Zacchaeus was so touched and changed by his time with Jesus he decided to completely change his ways. He gave half of all he owned to the poor and paid back every one he cheated by four times the amount.
Most of us feel like we are generally pretty good. Sure we all sin here and there, now and then, but, by and large, we feel pretty good about ourselves. We don’t feel like we have to make huge course corrections in our lives, thinking or behavior. This can be very dangerous because those of us stuck in the “good enough” zone don’t do much for the Kingdom of God and the bible says that those who are neither hot nor cold will be spit out. God does not like lukewarm followers. Zacchaeus wasn’t lukewarm. When He changed, he turned 180º around and ran the other way. The definition of repentance is to turn around and go the other way. Zacchaeus truly repented.
I must beware of the danger of feeling good enough. People who hit bottom often choose miraculous repentance. People who feel good enough often don’t. I want to be postured for miraculous repentance so that I can help make a kingdom difference with my life.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me when I’ve felt good enough or that I have done enough. I repent and want to be used for Your purposes and will.
In Jesus name,
Amen
