July 24th, 2025
Thursday, July 24th
Making Room
By: Anne Kerley
As Jesus entered Jericho a large crowd was there anxiously waiting for him, including the Chief Tax Collector (bad guy) Zacchaeus. Everyone in the town knew who he was – He was the man who didn’t mind “stealing” money from his own people for personal gain, a sinner! He also wanted to see who Jesus was, but the crowd (his own people) already had him summed up, deemed him unworthy!
Perhaps Zacchaeus himself felt unworthy of an encounter.
How many times have we “summed” people up? Oh, they have tattoos, or crazy piercings, they dress or look different than the “norm”. Someone you are close to continues to drink, do drugs or is rude and arrogant – all we see is their sin. So, we pass judgement, subconsciously deem them unworthy and don’t make room for them.
But then Jesus!
Jesus saw Zacchaeus! Even through the large, dense crowd, Jesus was aware of him! He watched Zacchaeus climb a tree - Zacchaeus, possibly thinking he would at least see Jesus. Little did Zacchaeus know that Jesus would stop at the tree and say “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So, he obeyed, and welcomed Jesus into his home!
The crowd, on the other hand, couldn’t believe that Jesus would go, and be a guest at the home of a sinner! They thought he was hopeless!
Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus completely changed his life! He gave half of his possessions to the poor, and anyone he cheated he paid them back four times the amount! He didn’t look like the Chief Tax Collector anymore! His life was transformed!
Jesus is the power that transforms any life, even those we have already summed up and dismissed. We may not be able to change them, but Jesus can! Perhaps it’s time to offer them an encounter with Jesus….
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Making Room
By: Anne Kerley
As Jesus entered Jericho a large crowd was there anxiously waiting for him, including the Chief Tax Collector (bad guy) Zacchaeus. Everyone in the town knew who he was – He was the man who didn’t mind “stealing” money from his own people for personal gain, a sinner! He also wanted to see who Jesus was, but the crowd (his own people) already had him summed up, deemed him unworthy!
Perhaps Zacchaeus himself felt unworthy of an encounter.
How many times have we “summed” people up? Oh, they have tattoos, or crazy piercings, they dress or look different than the “norm”. Someone you are close to continues to drink, do drugs or is rude and arrogant – all we see is their sin. So, we pass judgement, subconsciously deem them unworthy and don’t make room for them.
But then Jesus!
Jesus saw Zacchaeus! Even through the large, dense crowd, Jesus was aware of him! He watched Zacchaeus climb a tree - Zacchaeus, possibly thinking he would at least see Jesus. Little did Zacchaeus know that Jesus would stop at the tree and say “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So, he obeyed, and welcomed Jesus into his home!
The crowd, on the other hand, couldn’t believe that Jesus would go, and be a guest at the home of a sinner! They thought he was hopeless!
Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus completely changed his life! He gave half of his possessions to the poor, and anyone he cheated he paid them back four times the amount! He didn’t look like the Chief Tax Collector anymore! His life was transformed!
Jesus is the power that transforms any life, even those we have already summed up and dismissed. We may not be able to change them, but Jesus can! Perhaps it’s time to offer them an encounter with Jesus….
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
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1 Comment
Love the message! How true we judge people how they dress. Men look at the outward appearance God looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16 v7