Showing posts with label In Need of a Savior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In Need of a Savior. Show all posts
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Bread Of Life
Her name is Madison. She needs our Savior desperately. And she knows that she’s missing something or she wouldn’t keep searching. She wants so much to be loved, appreciated, treasured, adored and happy. Occasionally she finds things that meet a need that she has. She walks away feeling good, like she’s on top of the world but within a short amount of time, the feeling is gone. It has faded.
The reason it faded is because it was only a temporary source. If you and I find ourselves never satisfied and always looking for the “next big thing” we will always come up empty handed. The pleasures of this world are only temporal. When we seek a counterfeit source to meet a God-given need that can only be satiated by our Savior, we will always want more. It is only when we allow Christ to meet our needs as only He can that we are truly fulfilled. Read what He declared in John 6:35, and seek no more:
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
When you are lonely, allow Him to keep you company. When you are burdened, lean into His strong arms. When you are hurting, find hope in His comfort. When you have a desire, allow Him to meet your need instead of someone or something else.
He is the Savior of the World.
He wants to be yours.
Scripture Of The Day: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” - John 6:35 (NIV)
Friday, December 9, 2011
We Got What We Needed
All one has to do is look at the latest headlines to see that the current times we live in can be compared to the times that Charles Dickens spoke of in his novel The Tale of Two Cities. There are a few lines that state, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope…”
The news events of abuse of children and neglect of seniors and the conditions of the economy where one part of society excels and another part declines, leaves some people overwhelmed with despair. Ours is a society split along political party lines, class and race lines where many feel there is no way to overcome. The reality is that during the time of the birth of Jesus Christ things were the same.
No matter what class, race, party or economic status one may be, there is a commonality that places everyone on an even playing field that is in the need of a Savior. It could not just be any kind of savior but a savior with the power to reconnect people back to God. No matter the status of any individual, there is a single need among all, which is to live a life filled with hope! Hope simply defined is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
There is no other word or name that has the ability to bring hope during times of difficulty and discouragement like the name Jesus. The Hope that is in Jesus as savior is that we are reminded of the good news that God is still speaking to us in our condition and circumstances. He sent Jesus to remind us that we still have opportunity to live on purpose, despite any current events that we may have experienced. Jesus emphatically stated Himself in John 10:10b “I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”
There are many benefits of having a Savior like Jesus. There is the benefit of having eternal life which is consoling to anyone who has felt disconnected from God. There is the benefit of really knowing abundant joy, peace, love, health, prosperity, grace and favor.
Only Jesus as savior can deliver the kind of hope that one needs to live a life of victory. Despite the news of the day, the good news is that the Savior has come and in Him we live, move and have our being.
The world needed a savior. And in Jesus, we got just what we needed!
Scripture Of The Day: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Reflecting Our Savior
Unemployment is still on the rise, as well as crime, scandals, medical issues, and many other disheartening issues of life. Many people are desperately seeking hope but many times in the wrong places. Or instead of getting to the root of their problems and taking the journey for true long term healing, they are looking for a quick fix … just something that will at least temporarily ease the pain.
I believe we can all agree that the world is in need of a Savior. God already sent a Savior for all of us but we need to present that Savior to those who don’t know him. For some of us that might mean first remembering for ourselves that we have a Savior and then making sure our light is shining for the rest of the world to see.
In the midst of a crisis or troubling times, there should be an obvious difference in how we as Christians handle ourselves. These are the times where our faith must outweigh our fears.
When the news reports tell of devastating times, we have to still hold on to the promises of God.
When the doctors give us a bleak health report, we must remember that God is still our healer.
When our jobs are threatening layoffs, we must remember that God is still our provider.
Times are changing, situations are changing, life is changing – but God and His love for each of us remains the same. That’s a truth that we must all embrace and draw strength from daily. No matter what obstacles we may face, we are always covered and protected.
Once we truly believe that for ourselves, then our lives will begin to reflect that truth and exude hope and life for everyone we come in contact with. When we embrace our Savior, joy and peace of mind will overflow from us and positively affect the lives of those around us.
You have no idea how many people are watching your walk, your demeanor, your attitude and your words. What are they seeing and hearing? Are you a reflection of the Christ you say you serve? Are others able to grow their faith by observing your life?
Let’s all make it our daily responsibility to be a walking, living example of God’s love. Let’s determine in our hearts to be a fountain of positivity in the midst of the chaos. Let’s serve others and be considerate of their needs before our own. Let’s represent the Kingdom in a way that leads others to our Savior instead of making them flee in the opposite direction.
Be the light that shines in the midst of darkness, illuminating the path to lead others to Christ so they can be introduced to Our Savior.
Scripture Of The Day: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Relief Pitcher
I will readily admit right up front that I am a huge baseball fan…when the playoffs roll around. Watching one hundred and sixty two games over a period of six months is absolutely overwhelming to me. But when the playoffs roll around, I get just as excited as any other baseball fan. Many people would probably call that a fair weather fan(atic). My response would simply be, “guilty!” One aspect of the baseball game that I love to study is the idea of relief pitchers.
Every baseball team has a team of people who have trained, studied and are prepared at any moment to be called into the game. More often than not, these relief pitchers are the closers of the game. In other words, the starting pitcher pitches for as long as he can until his need exceeds his physical ability to continue. So, the team manager goes out, congratulates him for what he’s done so far, and signals to the bullpen for the relief pitcher to come in and help offer relief.
This person then comes in and meets the need for the team and closes the game out.
What’s amazingly clear about our lives is that with our efforts, good works, good looks and religious activity, we've attempted to meet a spiritual need that couldn’t be met by those things. We tried our best to win with them, and ultimately, please God with them. And while those things are good, they have never met the most important need we have. That is, the need to have something to pay the price and penalty for our sins. So, God in His wisdom, extended an invitation to His Son, Jesus, to come in and be our “relief pitcher.” Jesus gladly accepted this invitation because He understood He had what it took to meet this need.
The Bible comes alive on this subject in a number of passages, including 1 John 2:2, which says, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” Eugene Peterson’s Message Translation says, “When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good – not only ours, but the whole world’s.” Propitiation literally means the place where mercy is found. At the point of our need is where Jesus steps in.
Baseball historians would say that Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith or Bruce Sutter, among others, have been the best relief pitchers to ever play the game. And while that may be true, I would offer to you this day that the BEST relief pitcher the world will EVER meet and know about is – Jesus Christ!
1 John 4: 10 (Message) says, “This is the kind of love we are talking about – not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.” Thank you Jesus for being my Relief Pitcher! Not just during the playoffs, but every day of my life, thank you for offering me new mercies and new grace with each new sun rising.
Today, I challenge you! Don't attempt to satisfy or earn brownie points with God by just doing good stuff, but to give your heart solely to Him and allow the good stuff to flow out of your love and strong relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, as you are guided by the Holy Spirit. This method will guarantee that you’ll win the game – the Game of Life!
Scripture Of The Day: “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” – 1 John 2:2 (NKJ)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Off-Balance
Between the hustle and bustle of everything busy, the squeaking of the brakes that need to be fixed, the steady pile up of bills that need to be paid, and the troublesome appointments that need to be booked, our lives can oftentimes become so cluttered with activity that we lose ourselves in the midst.
We live in a world of go-getters and high-achievers, and that’s wonderful because that means we live in a world that is progressive and evolutionary. However, we can allow life to get so busy, so off-balanced and consumed with what needs to get done, that our schedules become the likeness of a toddler’s coloring book. We step away from order and enter into a place where our goals and dreams take the place of God in our lives. Our priorities become muddled, and God becomes an after-thought; sometimes the last thought.
Yet, should we slow down for a minute, we would hear the voice of the Master calling above the din. His voice gently calls to us to come away and find him.
The Bible speaks of the prophet Elijah, who at the apex of his ministry, came to a place where he had to slow down and meet with God. Though he was busy doing work for the Kingdom, and though he had just prayed until fire fell from heaven, he had come to a place in his life where he desperately needed a personal encounter with God. In the blink of an eye, Elijah had moved from a place of extreme busyness and activity to a place of distress and isolation. He was suddenly freefalling and he needed God to intercept his plunge.
Though puzzling it may seem to us that Elijah went from fearlessly slaying over four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and powerfully mediating a cosmic phenomenon, to falling into a state of deep depression, God understood his servant’s heart. Therein lies the message for today, God knows us better than anyone else. He knows that we need to be saved, oftentimes from our very own selves. He knows that even though our intentions are good, we can get lost in the excessive amount of activities we engage in daily and fall prey to our fears and our internal vices. That’s why He calls us away.
We need Him, so desperately. We need Him after all of our abilities have been expended. We need Him, because the subtle diversion of our activities can become detrimental to our spiritual health. Even after all our goals have been accomplished, our unfailing need for Him will never be satiated.
Have you lost balance in your life? Have things become lopsided and disjointed? Then it’s time to meet with God and have Him pour into you like only He can. Let him nurse you back to good health and equip you for the next phase of your journey.
Scripture Of The Day: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” - Psalm 42:1-2 (NLT)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
From Darkness to Light
By Greg Laurie
People have asked me for the one thing they could say to their unbelieving friends to make them become Christians. They want to know the one truth that no one can resist. But I have no such truth—nor does anyone else. There is nothing I can say or you can say that will make a person believe.
To me, conversion is a mystery. I have seen it happen it many times, but I don't understand it. I don't understand why God uses someone like me to articulate a message, and then the Holy Spirit makes it resonate with the listener. But I have seen it happen, even when I am speaking, as I watch a person's reaction. God's Holy Spirit is opening his or her eyes to the truth of the gospel. And when an invitation is extended and that person comes forward, it is exciting to see what God has done.
When we pray for unbelievers, not only should we ask God to open their eyes, but we should also pray they would turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Only God can open their eyes, but only they can turn from darkness to light. Only God can make them aware of their need for Christ, but only they can put their faith in Christ. God won't do it for them; He has given them a free will. Therefore, it is up to them to respond and decide.
There are a lot of people who are trying to live in two worlds. They know what is true. They effectively believe it is true. But they have not turned from darkness to light. Have you turned from darkness to light? Are you following Jesus Christ? Or are you just going through the rituals?
Scripture Of The Day: "‘Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.'" - Acts 26:17-18
Greg Laurie serves as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more about Greg, log onto http://harvest.org
People have asked me for the one thing they could say to their unbelieving friends to make them become Christians. They want to know the one truth that no one can resist. But I have no such truth—nor does anyone else. There is nothing I can say or you can say that will make a person believe.
To me, conversion is a mystery. I have seen it happen it many times, but I don't understand it. I don't understand why God uses someone like me to articulate a message, and then the Holy Spirit makes it resonate with the listener. But I have seen it happen, even when I am speaking, as I watch a person's reaction. God's Holy Spirit is opening his or her eyes to the truth of the gospel. And when an invitation is extended and that person comes forward, it is exciting to see what God has done.
When we pray for unbelievers, not only should we ask God to open their eyes, but we should also pray they would turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Only God can open their eyes, but only they can turn from darkness to light. Only God can make them aware of their need for Christ, but only they can put their faith in Christ. God won't do it for them; He has given them a free will. Therefore, it is up to them to respond and decide.
There are a lot of people who are trying to live in two worlds. They know what is true. They effectively believe it is true. But they have not turned from darkness to light. Have you turned from darkness to light? Are you following Jesus Christ? Or are you just going through the rituals?
Scripture Of The Day: "‘Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.'" - Acts 26:17-18
Greg Laurie serves as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more about Greg, log onto http://harvest.org
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Feeling Our Need for a Savior
By John Piper
There are two reasons why during Advent we should remember our great need for a Savior.
The Preciousness of the Savior's Coming: The first reason is that the more keenly we feel our need for a Savior, the more precious will be the coming of the Savior.
Picture two people in a car out for a drive along the north shore. The rider knows that there is a time bomb in the trunk and that any second might blow the car to pieces. The driver doesn't believe there is one, and thinks that his rider is insane. The state patrol has been alerted that the car is indeed loaded with a bomb that will soon go off. They begin their search and pursuit.
The rider suddenly sees the State Patrol far in the distance to the rear racing toward the car. His heart leaps with hope for possible rescue! If you are the rider who knows that there is a bomb in the trunk, the flashing red lights in the distance are very precious, and the closer they get, the more precious they become. But if you are the driver and you don't think that there is a bomb in the trunk, the flashing red lights are a threat.
I think that the most loving thing I can do for you this Advent season is to help you remember and feel your need for a Savior, so that as he approaches, your heart will leap for joy.
The Command of the Word of God: The second reason for remembering our great need for a Savior is that the Word of God commands us to. Ephesians 2:1-10 describes how God saved us by grace through faith when there was a time bomb of sin ticking in our soul. Verse 11 commands, "Therefore remember!" Remember what? Verse 12 tells us: "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." But the key word, practically speaking, is "Remember!"
Paul really believes that even after the State Patrol has caught your car and saved you, you shouldn't forget that awful chase. You shouldn't forget what it would have been like if they had not pursued you. You should remember what you were and would have become without a Savior. Part of our ongoing devotional life should be the obedience of Ephesians 2:12--Remember! Remember! Remember that once we were cut off from Christ, without any citizen-rights to heaven; no promises applied to us; we had no hope and no part in God.
We are commanded, "Remember this! Bring it to mind again and again" (v. 11, mnemoneuete: present tense, continuous action). And surely the reason is so that it will have a vigorous and lively role in causing us to love Jesus Christ, our Savior.
It is a simple psychological fact: unless we feel a great need for a Savior, we do not feel that he is a great Savior.
Scripture Of The Day: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6 (ESV)
John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of more than 30 books and more than 25 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org.
There are two reasons why during Advent we should remember our great need for a Savior.
The Preciousness of the Savior's Coming: The first reason is that the more keenly we feel our need for a Savior, the more precious will be the coming of the Savior.
Picture two people in a car out for a drive along the north shore. The rider knows that there is a time bomb in the trunk and that any second might blow the car to pieces. The driver doesn't believe there is one, and thinks that his rider is insane. The state patrol has been alerted that the car is indeed loaded with a bomb that will soon go off. They begin their search and pursuit.
The rider suddenly sees the State Patrol far in the distance to the rear racing toward the car. His heart leaps with hope for possible rescue! If you are the rider who knows that there is a bomb in the trunk, the flashing red lights in the distance are very precious, and the closer they get, the more precious they become. But if you are the driver and you don't think that there is a bomb in the trunk, the flashing red lights are a threat.
I think that the most loving thing I can do for you this Advent season is to help you remember and feel your need for a Savior, so that as he approaches, your heart will leap for joy.
The Command of the Word of God: The second reason for remembering our great need for a Savior is that the Word of God commands us to. Ephesians 2:1-10 describes how God saved us by grace through faith when there was a time bomb of sin ticking in our soul. Verse 11 commands, "Therefore remember!" Remember what? Verse 12 tells us: "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." But the key word, practically speaking, is "Remember!"
Paul really believes that even after the State Patrol has caught your car and saved you, you shouldn't forget that awful chase. You shouldn't forget what it would have been like if they had not pursued you. You should remember what you were and would have become without a Savior. Part of our ongoing devotional life should be the obedience of Ephesians 2:12--Remember! Remember! Remember that once we were cut off from Christ, without any citizen-rights to heaven; no promises applied to us; we had no hope and no part in God.
We are commanded, "Remember this! Bring it to mind again and again" (v. 11, mnemoneuete: present tense, continuous action). And surely the reason is so that it will have a vigorous and lively role in causing us to love Jesus Christ, our Savior.
It is a simple psychological fact: unless we feel a great need for a Savior, we do not feel that he is a great Savior.
Scripture Of The Day: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6 (ESV)
John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of more than 30 books and more than 25 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
In Need Of A Savior
By Alan Riley
David Miller, a ministry friend of mine relates the story of the birth of his first child. When his son was born, David was sure that there had never been a child born to man and woman to compare to this special child. "But it wasn't long after we brought him home from the hospital," David relates, "that we realized that the chain of sin was still unbroken!"
We laughed when we heard David tell that story, but he makes an important point. His child was born with a sinful nature. You and I were, too. We all were. It is a legacy passed down from Adam. Each one of us at some point in our lives makes a conscious choice to disobey God and sin, but that is because we were born with a sinful nature, a bent toward sinning, if you will.
People sometimes get upset with you if you tell them they are a sinner. They think we are judging them, but in reality that is something that we have in common with them. The Apostle Paul said that he was the "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). John reminded us that if we say we have not sinned we are a liar (1 John 1:8).
The late Rich Mullins (writer of "Awesome God" and "Sing Your Praise to the Lord") told the story of getting stranded at an inn while on a hike. To meet back up with his party would require a ten mile walk and he was already spent from the day's hike. He struck up a conversation with a man at the inn and in the course of the conversation, Mullins shared that he was a Christian musician. The man offered to give Mullins a ride to meet his party, but said there was something he needed to tell him first. "I am gay" the man told him. Rich chuckled and replied that he still needed a ride to the drop off point! As he took Rich to meet up with his hiking companions, the man was silent for most of the trip.
Finally he turned to Rich and asked, "Does God hate me?" Mullins wrote that the question--and the heart cry behind it--broke his heart. He turned to the man and said, "God loves you as much as He loves me! Yes, God hates the sin in your life, but no more than he hates the sin in my life." The man realized that in Rich Mullins he had found a friend, not a judge. That is how we need to relate to those around us, many of whom are struggling with sin. We aren't better than them, we're just forgiven. When I share Christ with others, I am just one beggar telling another beggar where I found food.
We tend to want to rank sin in order of severity, but God doesn't make such distinctions. It's true that in the Old Testament (Proverbs 6) there is a list of things God despises, but included on that list are lying and sowing discord among brothers. Ever lied before? (If your answer is no, read 1 John 1:8 again!) Sin is sin. It is all rebellion against Him. We are all in need of saving. We are all in need of a Savior.
That is what we celebrate this Christmas season. We need to look beyond all the hype and the materialism of the holiday and focus in on the baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The only child who ever chose to be born. The one who left the glory of heaven to save us from our sins.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:10-14 (NKJV)
Scripture Of The Day: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23
Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (http://www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith’s sister media property. He can be found blogging at http://www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at http://www.Twitter.com/Alan
David Miller, a ministry friend of mine relates the story of the birth of his first child. When his son was born, David was sure that there had never been a child born to man and woman to compare to this special child. "But it wasn't long after we brought him home from the hospital," David relates, "that we realized that the chain of sin was still unbroken!"
We laughed when we heard David tell that story, but he makes an important point. His child was born with a sinful nature. You and I were, too. We all were. It is a legacy passed down from Adam. Each one of us at some point in our lives makes a conscious choice to disobey God and sin, but that is because we were born with a sinful nature, a bent toward sinning, if you will.
People sometimes get upset with you if you tell them they are a sinner. They think we are judging them, but in reality that is something that we have in common with them. The Apostle Paul said that he was the "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). John reminded us that if we say we have not sinned we are a liar (1 John 1:8).
The late Rich Mullins (writer of "Awesome God" and "Sing Your Praise to the Lord") told the story of getting stranded at an inn while on a hike. To meet back up with his party would require a ten mile walk and he was already spent from the day's hike. He struck up a conversation with a man at the inn and in the course of the conversation, Mullins shared that he was a Christian musician. The man offered to give Mullins a ride to meet his party, but said there was something he needed to tell him first. "I am gay" the man told him. Rich chuckled and replied that he still needed a ride to the drop off point! As he took Rich to meet up with his hiking companions, the man was silent for most of the trip.
Finally he turned to Rich and asked, "Does God hate me?" Mullins wrote that the question--and the heart cry behind it--broke his heart. He turned to the man and said, "God loves you as much as He loves me! Yes, God hates the sin in your life, but no more than he hates the sin in my life." The man realized that in Rich Mullins he had found a friend, not a judge. That is how we need to relate to those around us, many of whom are struggling with sin. We aren't better than them, we're just forgiven. When I share Christ with others, I am just one beggar telling another beggar where I found food.
We tend to want to rank sin in order of severity, but God doesn't make such distinctions. It's true that in the Old Testament (Proverbs 6) there is a list of things God despises, but included on that list are lying and sowing discord among brothers. Ever lied before? (If your answer is no, read 1 John 1:8 again!) Sin is sin. It is all rebellion against Him. We are all in need of saving. We are all in need of a Savior.
That is what we celebrate this Christmas season. We need to look beyond all the hype and the materialism of the holiday and focus in on the baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The only child who ever chose to be born. The one who left the glory of heaven to save us from our sins.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:10-14 (NKJV)
Scripture Of The Day: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23
Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (http://www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith’s sister media property. He can be found blogging at http://www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at http://www.Twitter.com/Alan
Sunday, December 5, 2010
How Jesus Meets the Deepest Longings of Your Heart
By Dr. Jack Graham
More than likely, you've heard the story out of the New Testament of the chief tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus.
As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine.
As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.
There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.
Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him.
It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.
But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.
He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience--and no friends. He was an outcast of society!
As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.
Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.
Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships.
But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.
Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!
I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.
Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.
Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.
Scripture Of The Day: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - John 17:3
Dr. Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic congregations. The author of numerous books, Dr. Graham is the founder of PowerPoint® Ministries, a radio and television broadcast ministry. For more information about Dr. Graham, log onto http://www.powerpoint.org. …
More than likely, you've heard the story out of the New Testament of the chief tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus.
As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine.
As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.
There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.
Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him.
It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.
But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.
He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience--and no friends. He was an outcast of society!
As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.
Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.
Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships.
But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.
Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!
I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.
Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.
Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.
Scripture Of The Day: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - John 17:3
Dr. Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic congregations. The author of numerous books, Dr. Graham is the founder of PowerPoint® Ministries, a radio and television broadcast ministry. For more information about Dr. Graham, log onto http://www.powerpoint.org. …
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)