ACTS - A Way to Live
The Gospel of Luke—Lent 2022
Read Luke 19:1-9
Focus Verse—Luke 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately, I must stay at your house today.
ACTion for Reflection: An Intentional Visit
I love Jesus so much, and Jesus loved people so much! He did not care when loving much confused or angered others (specifically the religious others).
The whole "Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man" song stole the magnitude of this story for me when I was younger. Maybe there's plenty of truth in it for little people. But, the point here is HUGE. Jesus operates in divine appointments.
During His 3-year ministry, He had intentional interactions with people, and He changed their lives. On THIS day and in THIS particular chapter, Zacchaeus was curious enough to climb a tree to look for Jesus. And, Jesus was purposeful enough to look up, see him, and invite him. On the divine calendar, it was time for Zacchaeus to meet his Savior.
The religious didn't like it, and Jesus didn't even seem to notice. He loved BIG, so He risked BIG. Have you noticed that the religious still don't like for grace and love to be offered to "big" sinners?
Where can we risk by loving BIG today? How can you demonstrate love by spending time (giving dignity) to someone the religious world has decided doesn't deserve it? And, what if TODAY is the divine appointment for that person and you get to be part of it? Let's intentionally love like our Savior.
ACTion to Live Out: Be intentional about doing an act of kindness!
An idea for today is to be intentional about doing good for someone. Plan it out: pray, schedule it, prepare or purchase, whatever you need to do today, make the plans to do it so that on the day, you are ready!
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for teaching us how to live! After we daily reflect on your life-giving words, help us to then, through your Spirit, get up and ACT. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take your good news to the world. What an honor it is to be your image bearer. Amen.
