Zacchaeus and the Parable of Ten Minas

Prayer Practice

Cup Prayer – This prayer will help you pour your heart out to God (Ps. 62:8). Begin with your hands folded together like an upside-down cup. Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, flip your hands over, folding them like an open cup, ready to receive from God. Sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. If your mind runs back to sin, shame, anxiety or concerns of the day, flip your hands back over and pour it out to the Lord. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture and listen as God shares His heart back with you.

 

DAILY READING

Luke 19:1-27

REFLECTION

Entrusted

by Mary McGinnis

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.” As they heard these things, He proceeded to tell a parable, because He was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. Luke 19:9-11

Zacchaeus was a scoundrel who was small in stature, yet large in position and wealth.  He had made his living by stepping on the backs of his fellow Jews, collecting exorbitant amounts of taxes.  And he was so good at it, he was the chief tax collector.  Yet on this day, he was curious about Jesus.  Jesus calls him by name and invites Himself to his house.  This changes everything in Zacchaeus’ heart.  Grace has a way of doing that.

So why does Jesus follow this encounter with a parable?  The people misunderstood his mission, to “seek and to save the lost.”  Their expectation was that the Messiah was going to come into Jerusalem, their capital city, and take over!  He would set up His reign, a Kingdom here on earth, set everything right, and all would be well in the world.   

His real ambition was to give His life away, to pay for the wrongdoing for every human being in the entire world, from the dawn of time until the end of time.  He came for YOU.  He conquered death!! He ascended to His Father to be crowned the King of all.  Now we await His return.

Each of us has been entrusted with this gift; this precious message of the God who came to seek and to save all of us who were lost.  And He has empowered each of us with a special gifting to share this incredible gift.  

Which character do you most identify with in today’s parable? 

The citizens who hated the heir to the throne, the ones who wanted nothing to do with Him being their King? 

The ones who went about their Master’s business while He was away, joyfully serving Him, and carrying on His mission? 

The one who only feared what the Master might take away, or how following Him might make life uncomfortable?

Lord Jesus, I confess Lord, That I often am shortsighted, being more concerned about my comforts in this life.  Too often, the last thing on my mind is what You are up to, and Your Kingdom Mission.  Forgive me Lord.  Restore to me the JOY of Your salvation, so that this song (https://youtu.be/WKgebGCFif4)  may become my life prayer to You!