YOU CAN CHANGE

READ: Luke 19:1-10

ANSWER THIS: What are you feeling so guilty about today that you’re having trouble forgiving yourself for?

THE BREAKDOWN

Jesus has arrived in Jericho. Next stop, Jerusalem. As is the case everywhere he goes, a crowd is following. And, not surprisingly, Jesus does something culturally unacceptable, again. He talks to a tax collector.

In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were traitors—Jews, collecting taxes from Jews, on behalf of their Roman occupiers. Their income came from overcharging their own people and pocketing the profit.

Zacchaeus (pronounced za-KEE-uhs) was the chief tax collector for the region. He must have been deeply resented by his fellow Jews, as he had become extraordinarily rich by burdening them with inflated taxes.

Now, here he is, trying to get a glimpse of Jesus. But, because he’s so short, he can’t see over the crowd. And, the people aren’t about to let him squeeze through for a better look. Searching ahead, he sees a sycamore tree on the side of the road where Jesus will soon pass by. So, he runs to it and climbs up to get an unobstructed view of Jesus.

When Jesus gets there, he looks up at Zacchaeus, whom he’s never met, and calls him by name. He tells Zacchaeus he’s going to stay at his home, tonight. Not at an inn, not at a dignitary’s house, but at the home of a crooked tax collector!

Excitedly, Zacchaeus leads Jesus to his house, then tells him he’s going to give half his wealth to the poor and give anyone he’s cheated four times what he took from them.

Jesus knows that Zacchaeus is sincere and he announces that Zacchaeus is a new man.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Noureddine Elmihnida of Rabat, Morocco, wanted a fresh start when he got out of prison, and he wanted to make up for the pain he had caused his loved ones. He sought to regain the respect of his community, his parents, and his friends.

During the pandemic lockdown of 2020, Elmihnida began grocery shopping and fetching medication for those who couldn’t leave their homes. With a special permit to leave his own house, he ran errands for the elderly and vulnerable, risking becoming infected with the devastating COVID-19 virus.

Confidently, Elmihnida said, “God will protect me because he knows I'm helping people without expecting a payback.”

Elmihnida’s self-sacrifice showed everyone he was a changed man.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Are you tired of being weighed down by guilt, and hating yourself for something you’ve done? Do you want to change? Here’s the good news. Jesus loves you just as you are, but wants to help you become the person God designed you to be. You just need to seek and accept His forgiveness and invite Him to help you change.

PRAYER

“Jesus, I need your help. Please forgive me. I want to become the person God created me to be. I am so floored by how you love me and want to help me change. I give you permission to start with my heart.”