Luke 19:1-10
19: He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection
This well-known story provides a beautiful example of the power of the gospel. We know little of Zacchaeus except that he was a “chief tax collector,” he was “rich” (Luke 19:2), and he was “small” (v. 3). We also know that he became a sincere follower of the Lord (v. 8), but we do not know what other conversation took place between Jesus and Zacchaeus when Jesus was a guest in his house. Regardless, his response to Jesus’ gospel teaching and presence was remarkable. Zacchaeus turned from dependence on his crooked ways to dependence on God’s grace. He joyfully and openly turned from his past wrongdoing and adopted the way of God that Jesus taught him (v. 8). He was a “lost” man whom Jesus came to “seek and save” (v. 10).
The Bible does not provide specific details about how to use our wealth. Some are called to give up everything because their love of money is rooted so deeply (see 18:22). Others are led to give generously of what they have, as Zacchaeus does (19:8). Still others give a portion of their property (see Barnabas’s actions in Acts 4:36–37). The gospel in the new covenant does not strictly specify what we should do with our financial resources, but it does call us to give cheerfully from the heart (2 Cor. 9:7). The joyful generosity of Zacchaeus is a model of the proper and natural response to God’s saving grace toward us. Grace frees us to give willingly and boldly as we trust in God to meet all our needs (Matt. 6:25–34).
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Reflection
As is common for Paul, he concludes his letter to the Thessalonian church with several commands based on the truths of the gospel that he has set forth throughout his letter. The commands of the Christian life —what we are called to do as we follow Christ by faith —are founded on and flow from Christ’s accomplishment for us. God’s grace is the foundation of our obedience.
The commands of God are the Christian’s duty and delight as we live by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. By his strength we “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16), “pray without ceasing” (v. 17), and “give thanks in all circumstances” (v. 18), resting in the hope that “the God of peace himself” will be “faithful” to produce growth in our lives (vv. 23–24). We are responsible to live the Christian life, and we must do so reliant upon the faithfulness of God.
Psalm 119:34-36
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
God does not merely tell us what do; he also changes our will so that we want to do what he desires. Pray that God would transform your will and increase your desire for his ways.