06
Walking Through The Smoke
Richard WaialealeLuke 19:5 (NLT)
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Luke 19:10 (NLT)
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
X
There are two key principles that I want to apply to my life as I grow in leadership as a Christian. The first is Jesus already new Zacchaeus by name and called him by name, which is a huge plus when wanting to draw closer to a person. The second thing is Jesus was not ashamed to spend quality time with what was considered one of the worst of sinners (tax collectors).
Jesus probably knew he would have to walk through all the smoke that people blew in his direction. The smoke of negative reactions and murmuring, the grumbling of why he chooses to reach out to sinners.
Jesus’ words, “Today salvation has come to this house,” did not imply that the act of giving to the poor had saved Zacchaeus, but that his change in lifestyle evidenced his right relationship before God. Zacchaeus, a son of Abraham by birth, had a right to enter the kingdom because of his connection with Jesus. That was Jesus’ mission—to seek and to save those who are lost. I make that my mission - and that is to seek and to save those who are lost. I must be able to walk through the smoke of what people may think or say about my choices of saving lives and winning souls to Jesus.
Lord my prayer for today is that I focus my eyes and thoughts on You. I must continue walking and pointing towards Jesus. That’s the desire of my heart. Amen.
