DCLM Sincere Milk 13 October 2022 — ZACCHAEUS!
DCLM Sincere Milk 13 October 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — ZACCHAEUS!
TOPIC: ZACCHAEUS!
TEXT: LUKE 19:1-10
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Key Verse: “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5).
MESSAGE:
God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. During His earthly ministry, Jesus went everywhere calling sinners to repentance and performing miracles in the lives of people.
Zacchaeus was one of the people that got saved through Jesus. However, Jesus’ acceptance of Zacchaeus made some people to complain bitterly. Why the complaint and criticism? Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and also a chief oppressor of the people.
At that time, tax collectors were hated by the people because of their dubious and dishonest lifestyle. As government tax agents, they forced people to pay excess tax so that they could take part of it. Tax collectors were called publicans (public sinners). Therefore, it was a big surprise to see Jesus accepting this man and granting him salvation.
Also Read: DCLM Sincere Milk 12 October 2022 — Asking for divine guidance
Jesus shed His blood for the sins of everybody on the cross at Calvary. The blood of Jesus washes all sins and sinners without exception. No matter how big the sin one has committed, when he or she comes to Jesus in repentance and total submission, the person will receive forgiveness and pardon.
As Christians, we should not think that a child is so bad that he/she cannot be saved. Your duty is to preach the love of Jesus to sinners. Then leave the rest to God, because God’s programme for salvation is for all.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to preach the gospel to all creatures as You have commanded.
Further Reading: Isaiah 1:16-19
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
