A Love For Sinners 10.29.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Luke, please reac Chapters 19-20 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019-20&version=9

Today we will read about Jesus and Zacchaeus; His triumphal entry; Jesus cleansing the Temple; paying taxes; and Jesus' authority. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that Jesus loves sinners and came to save all who seek Him. No matter what we have done or who we have become we are saved and always have a way out of our sins through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus entered Jerico, as He passed through a publican (tax collector) named Zacchaeus sought after Him. "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way." (Luke 19:1-4). A Jewish tax collector was often frowned upon as the Jews thought of them as thieves working for the government. His position indicated that he had sold his soul for wealth because he was a rich man.

However, Zacchaeus was deeply displeased with all his wealth and desperately longed for something that money could not buy. Jesus looked up and saw his eagerness, "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. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And 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. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (19:5-10). Jesus had a love to save the sinners of the world, it was this love that led Him to reach out to this unloved publican.

Just as Jesus saved Zacchaeus from his sins we too are saved from ours when we call on Him. This has not changed, Jesus may no longer has a physical body here on earth, but He still lives, He is inside each and every one of us. There is no better feeling in the world than to feel the touch of Jesus, especially when we have sinned and in the midst of seeking Him for forgiveness. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Any words we speak or pictures we draw cannot fully describe your infinite love. Your boundless love reaches beyond the heavens and yet it penetrates our individual hearts. It is only in experiencing a personal relationship with you that we begin to sense the pure love that comes only from You. Even as the waves of the ocean are powerful and wash over the rocks may Your abundant love fill my life to overflowing so that Christ’s love is seen through me. In Jesus' name.......Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
God Bless,
Christina

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