Advent Day 8 Luke 19:1-10

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd, he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And 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.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:1-10 ESV)

One thing that bothered many about Jesus was the fact that He frequently associated with sinners. The Pharisees thought Jesus was “better than them” and should not be in their company, just as they did not associate with those who were considered “inferior”. But Jesus corrected them when they questioned Him about it, and He responded, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

In today’s verse, Jesus is in Jericho and encounters a tax collector and sinner named Zacchaeus. For lack of better terms, Zacchaeus was very short, so to see Jesus, he climbed a Sycamore tree. Jesus saw Zacchaeus and told him to come down from the tree so that Jesus could stay with him for the day. As Jesus touched him in his heart, Zacchaeus repented of his sins, telling Jesus that he would give half his wealth to the poor and that anyone he had cheated would receive back four times what he had taken from them.

It was just the idea that Jesus would spend time with Zacchaeus, who obviously acknowledged his sinfulness, that was enough to change his heart. Jesus had given Zacchaeus a heart of flesh, removing the heart of stone, because Zacchaeus had faith in Jesus as the Lord.

While the purity and love of Jesus drove the hard-hearted away from Him, it also pulled sinners who wanted to be made right before God to Him. Matthew was also a tax collector who walked away from all his riches to follow Jesus. Such is the power of God.

This Advent, make a point to do something for the less fortunate around you. I do not mean throwing money in a contribution pot, but something meaningful. Sit down with the less fortunate and share a meal with them. Eat with them. Spend some time in a shelter or ministry for the homeless. Invite someone who does not know the Lord to a worship service.

Make this Advent memorable for those who do not have what you possess. Speak to them about the Lord, what easier time than Christmas to talk about the birth of the Savior, and what that can mean for them.

Advent Prayer Day 8

Father God,

You are merciful and benevolent for your creation.

Bless your children this Advent with the gift of boldness and speech.

Bless them that they may reach out to those less fortunate and share the gospel with them.

Relieve the anxieties of evangelism for those who have not experienced sharing the Word.

Please empower them through the Holy Spirit that this boldness on their part would increase your Kingdom and Glory.

For the sake of Your Son, Christ Jesus, we pray, Amen.