FRIDAY 10th FEBRUARY 1984
JESUS CHANGES OUR VALUES
READING: Luke 19:1-10 English - Larry Chinese - Wilson
Jesus and Zacchaeus
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich.
3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature.
4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today."
6 So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."
8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold."
9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."
COMMENTARY - Barbara
Yesterday we read about a miracle which happened when a small boy shared his lunch. Today we read about a man whose life was changed because he had a meal with Jesus. We are not told what things Jesus said to Zacchaeus, but it is clear that Jesus had a life changing impact on this man. He was turned right around. He was changed into exactly the opposite from what he was before.
His cheating was turned into honesty.
His exploitation was turned into repaying.
His selfishness was turned into generosity.
Jesus changes people's values. The 30 Hour Famine Bible Study says we should note especially verse 8.
Zacchaeus' promise is to give away half of all his great wealth and to repay all those he has cheated four times over. Truly he was a changed man.
NEWS
Elizabeth will be in Singapore next week to train our new staff, Valerie, and to transfer administration of sponsors and donors to the Singapore office.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for changing lives from selfishness to generosity. Work that same miracle in our lives also.
A-men