my soap journal

Scripture:

Luke 19: 5-5 “When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said.  “Quick, come down!  For I must be a guest in your home today.”  Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.  But the crowds were displeased.  “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.”

Observation:

On a somewhat frequent basis, Christ dines or otherwise interacts with “notorious” sinners.  What an interesting description – did they actually describe people like that?  Do we do that anymore?  I guess we certainly shun people who have committed the right (or wrong) kind of sin.  I’m not really sure who I could identify as a “notorious” sinner though.  I mean there are the  headlining creeps who kidnap, violate, and murder; there are the Bernie Madoff’s, who would  probably be closely identified with Zacchaeus… I wonder if this is a city size thing – these were much smaller communities.  Hmm… In any case, Christ hung out with people – drew them to him – who were so offensive in their sin that it was offensive to others that he even had dinner with them.  As much as I can spend time with God in devotions, I know I will never come close to meeting anyone truly like Christ.  I’m not sure I would’ve wanted to live during that time – I fear what my reaction to Christ would’ve been – but to be able to somehow watch these events unfold … I look forward to heaven.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being who you are.  For being bigger than even the biggest sinners, and for having such presence.  Thank you also for the people in my life who do reflect bits of you – let those reflections change me, that I might become Christ-like.