100 Days of HopeSample

Let’s Go Climb A Tree!

Jesus was “passing through.” In fact, He was going to Jerusalem, to die for bad people who think they are good and bad people who know they can never be good. But “passing through” did not mean “passing by” Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, the infamous “wee little man,” took from his people to fund Rome’s building projects, legions, and luxury—and to fund his own comfort and security.

Astonishingly Jesus “gave” to this “taker.” The Savior came to Jericho, and salvation came to Jericho’s chief tax collector. We note an instructive response as a result of the Savior and salvation coming to Zacchaeus’ house that day. He gave gifts because he had received a gift. A “taker” became a “giver” because he was given grace.

We are all wealthy and in love with wealth. It is not whether we love (are “takers”) but how much we love wealth, comfort, pleasure, and things. It hasn’t been “natural” since the Fall for us to love God more than self or stuff. This love for God above self and wealth was, and still is, “impossible with men but possible with God.” The biggest problem we have with giving is a spiritual problem; nothing but a growing spiritual understanding of what we have been given (grace and salvation) will make us “givers.” Not guilt, but gratitude can drive our giving. Realizing that this is an impossible problem for us to solve makes us want to go climb a tree and pray that the Lord will not just pass by as we dare to study His Word on this topic.

Prayer: Father, thank you for grace and salvation. Help us to understand and respond to all we’ve been given.