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Zacchaeus
There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a tax collectorWho, because of his efficient skill at reaching his weekly targets,Was made him chief tax gatherer over-seeing others in the trade.He had never been very popular, people calling him shorty and squirt,Looking down their nose at him,Making fun of him because he didn't measure up to their standardsBut they listened to him nowHe had power, wealth and the ear of the Roman Governor!Sitting in his office calculating tax for peopleSlipping in an extra figure just because he couldEspecially to those who annoyed him and were prosperous.He had become very bitter in his life, and he knew itNothing he had satisfied him - and he was lonelyHe had everything yet had nothingHe heard the reports of this man JesusHow he had healed Bartimaeus by the GateHow he even forgave sins and preached the gospel of salvationHow he associated with Tax collectors like him.One of his co-workers once told him he saidThat Tax Collectors and Harlots would go into heaven firstBefore the self righteous Pharisees.It made him wonder is there was some hope for HimThe Pharisees had told him he would be cast out of paradiseNo longer a son of AbrahamHe had laughed at their claim - yet wondered if it were trueWhether what he had done had isolated him from GodOne of the "Cut off from among the people of Israel"He would like to meet this man while he was still in townAnd there was no pressing business, so off he went.
The streets were strangely quietHe asked a beggar do you know where Jesus is?The beggar pointed toward the main streetSo after he put a small coin into his bowl he headed in that directionThe number of people slowly increased until they blocked the roadPeople everywhere pressing in all aroundHe didn't have a hope of seeing anyoneHe stood wondering what he should doThen he remembered a tree he use to climb as a boyA place to get away from his tormentorsIt was in this street, just a little further downSo he ran and climbed its large branches and waitedThe crowd moved slowly along surging around the treeLike water flowing around an obstruction in a streamIt was difficult to know which was HimA number of bulky fishermen were pushing a path through the crowd.Soon these arrived adjacent to the treeZacchaeus was still trying to work out which one He was.Then a voice called up to him"Zacchaeus" he scanned the crowd trying to work out who called to Him"Zacchaeus" came the voice again and noticed a man waving at him"Hurry up- come down I was just heading to your place for tea"The kindly face beckoned to himZacchaeus quickly swung down to the groundForcing his way through the pressHe heard the usual derogatory comments as he made his way towards the manOne even said, "Why would Jesus go and eat with a sinner"When he eventually arrived a feeling of unworthiness crept over his soulJesus said, "Lead the way"Then walked together side by side"Sir how did you know my name?" Zacchaeus asked"Today" came the reply" You were part of the Father's planI knew you would be there - that is why I came"The words sank slowly down into his soul"Just for me" he asked"Just for you" Jesus saidHe pondered those words all the way to his house"He came for me!- He came for me!The weight of the sins of his life became heavy"I am such a sinner yet he is gracious to me!Yet I have not been gracious to others!"As they arrived at the door, Zacchaeus stopped"Lord before you enter I must say one thing"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 it four times."Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, you are a son of Abraham.For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
14 November 2007
Luke 19
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ©2007 Stephen Share
The streets were strangely quietHe asked a beggar do you know where Jesus is?The beggar pointed toward the main streetSo after he put a small coin into his bowl he headed in that directionThe number of people slowly increased until they blocked the roadPeople everywhere pressing in all aroundHe didn't have a hope of seeing anyoneHe stood wondering what he should doThen he remembered a tree he use to climb as a boyA place to get away from his tormentorsIt was in this street, just a little further downSo he ran and climbed its large branches and waitedThe crowd moved slowly along surging around the treeLike water flowing around an obstruction in a streamIt was difficult to know which was HimA number of bulky fishermen were pushing a path through the crowd.Soon these arrived adjacent to the treeZacchaeus was still trying to work out which one He was.Then a voice called up to him"Zacchaeus" he scanned the crowd trying to work out who called to Him"Zacchaeus" came the voice again and noticed a man waving at him"Hurry up- come down I was just heading to your place for tea"The kindly face beckoned to himZacchaeus quickly swung down to the groundForcing his way through the pressHe heard the usual derogatory comments as he made his way towards the manOne even said, "Why would Jesus go and eat with a sinner"When he eventually arrived a feeling of unworthiness crept over his soulJesus said, "Lead the way"Then walked together side by side"Sir how did you know my name?" Zacchaeus asked"Today" came the reply" You were part of the Father's planI knew you would be there - that is why I came"The words sank slowly down into his soul"Just for me" he asked"Just for you" Jesus saidHe pondered those words all the way to his house"He came for me!- He came for me!The weight of the sins of his life became heavy"I am such a sinner yet he is gracious to me!Yet I have not been gracious to others!"As they arrived at the door, Zacchaeus stopped"Lord before you enter I must say one thing"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 it four times."Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, you are a son of Abraham.For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
14 November 2007
Luke 19
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ©2007 Stephen Share