by Andy Johnson

MRN Missionary Care Director & Prayer Coordinator

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

We come before You, Lord, as people confused about our identities. Whether on our way to work or school or home from them, we forget who we are. We are not our jobs. We are not our wealth. We are Yours. Remind us of that truth today.

He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

Father, we long to see Jesus. We know that He’s in town, that He’s in our neighborhood today. Let us be undignified in our pursuit of Him! Don’t let our stature (whether physically or socially) get in our way. Show us how to run after Jesus with reckless abandon. Show us what tree to climb...

 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

...But don’t leave us in that tree, Father! Instead, let us gladly welcome Jesus into our homes, our places of work, our families! Renew the joy we once felt when we first caught a glimpse of Jesus. We pray also for new Christians in churches all around us and around the world. Come more fully into their hearts and homes and fill them with delight at Your presence.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

Thank You, Father, that Jesus was the guest of sinners! As His hands and feet in Your world today, compel us to eat with sinners, too. May we be known as hospitable believers who regularly eat with those still waiting for their first meal with Jesus. Give us friends that don’t know You so that we can introduce them to You.

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Lord, if there’s anything in our lives keeping us from getting right with You, help us get rid of it as fiercely as Zacchaeus did! We know we don’t purchase our salvation with good deeds; we also know that our priorities and our behaviors ought to change once we have You over for dinner. Bring our actions in line with our beliefs, Father.

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

What sweet words, Lord! Jesus picked Zacchaeus up and put him back in the community of believers. We want that, too, for ourselves and for our loved ones! We praise You that the Son of Man came to seek and save us! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Are you interested in sharing Jesus with unreached people of the world?

We can help!

Email start_the_journey@mrnet.org to talk about it.