155: Luke 19:1-10
Today, I’m offering a simple reading from the Gospel of Luke. This particular passage tells the story of Jesus and his encounter with a man named Zacchaeus. This might be a familiar passage for you {maybe you’re even humming an old familiar tune?}; or it might be totally fresh and new.
Either way, you are invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I’ll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
A reading from Luke 19:1-10 as found in the New Revised Standard Version:
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Does anything stand out to you in this passage? Maybe a word, image or phrase? A feeling or a question? Take a moment to consider what that might be for you.
What do you notice about your response to this passage? Do you resonate with it? Are you bothered by it? Both can be true, or you might notice something else entirely. Take a moment to welcome and sit with your response, whatever it may be.
Now, consider your current life and circumstances. If it’s helpful, maybe even focus in on this very day. What reminder or invitation might God be offering you through these verses?
Finally, as you reflect on that reminder or invitation, what do you need from God?
Today, may we hold that reminder close; carry it with us; and consider the ways God might enable us to be reminders of Christ’s love and presence in the world around us as we continue to become the people God calls and invites us to be.