Friday September 24, 2021

Today is Friday, September 24 and this week we are exploring life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ in the gospels.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Father God, I pause to listen for your voice in my life. Speak to my heart and mind whatever message you have for me today. Come Holy Spirit, lead me to a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Today I worship God in awe and adoration with the words of Psalm 33.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:1-5

Pause and Pray

Everyone who encounters Jesus in the gospel accounts has a life-changing experience. One person who made a remarkable transformation after an encounter with Jesus is Zaccheaus. As chief tax collector Zacchaeus profited through dishonest gain, corruption and extortion of his fellow citizens. He was not only wealthy, but corrupt and greedy. However, when Jesus came to town, Zacchaeus had an intense desire to see him. He overcame the risk of ridicule and embarrassment and climbed a tree to get a better view. A sycamore tree has branches low to the ground and would have been accessible for a small man to climb. Zacchaeus tries to see Jesus, but it is Jesus who looks up and first sees Zacchaeus.

A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Luke 19:3-8

Jesus invites himself over to Zacchaeus’ house. He invites him into a relationship. In that extension of love, Zacchaeus responds with hospitality and in the presence of the loving Lord Zacchaeus’ heart is changed, right there on the road of Jericho. This change of heart is evident in his proclamation of generous restitution. He goes far beyond what the Old Testament law requires for those who defraud someone, offering to pay back four times that sum. In addition he offers to give half of his possessions to the poor. He is convicted by what God requires of him. He stands before the Lord and announces a radical change in his handling of money and wealth. That kind of generosity only comes from a changed heart.

When I consider my own encounters with Jesus, I ponder how my changed heart results in changed behavior. An encounter with Jesus exposes where I have been dishonest, unjust, neglectful or unmerciful. A fresh encounter with Jesus brings about a desire in me to “make things right” – immediately. A fresh encounter with Jesus grows generosity in me. In order to grow in generosity, I don’t need more money, I need a changed heart. Jesus transforms my heart from the inside out and brings me joy as I seek righteousness.

Ask: Where do I struggle with injustice or where have I failed to be completely honest in my interactions with others? How generous am I with my time, talents, and treasure?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, like Zaccheus, I want to see you, but sometimes I am unable to fully envision who you are. I long for a fresh encounter with you. Look up and see me, call my name and invite me to join you today. I invite you in and welcome you. Change me from the inside out Lord, through your amazing grace. I read the passage from Luke again slowly, paying attention to what you are saying to me today.

A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Luke 19:3-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Where do I find myself in today’s scripture? Am I Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus? Am I one of the muttering crowd, one of the people Zacchaus has cheated, or one of the suffering poor? Just like Zacchaeus, before I see Jesus, he is already looking for me. He has his eye on me and knows my name. He calls me. When he gets my attention, he invites himself over. In his presence, things come to light. Jesus sees my heart, my priorities, my treasure, what I value most. Jesus wants to come into my heart and bring salvation to my house. When the presence of the Loving God intrudes it leads to conviction, repentance and deeper discipleship. Jesus invites himself over to Zacchaus’ house to be the guest of a sinner. I recall the times in my life when Jesus readily invited himself to my house, to be my guest – the guest of a sinner named “me.” Have I welcomed Jesus in? Have I invited him into my heart, my life, my relationships? Has the invitation changed my heart and my behavior?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Savior Lord Jesus, I welcome you into my heart, I invite you into my home. Thank you for your willingness to be with sinners like me. Transform me from the inside out. Change my heart and make me whole. Change my thoughts and attitudes and transform my thinking. Inspire a change in my behavior so that I live a life of honest toil, generous love and devoted service. Amen.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I seek a fresh encounter with Jesus that will lead to the necessary changes in my life. Show me today how to lead a life that is honest, just, generous and faithful – loving others in the name of Jesus. Amen.