“Jesus Wants To Be Your Guest Today, Welcome Him!”

“Jesus Christ Is Your Guest Today, Welcome Him!”
The story of Zacchaeus is the story of the limitations of greatness, power, fame and wealth. St Augustine of Hippo, the great African bishop cum scholar and philosopher once put it very nicely that man’s soul was made for God and it remains restless until it finds rest in God.
Zacchaeus was “a chief tax collector, and he was rich.” However, inwardly he realised he lacked something. Hearing that Jesus was passing his way, he climbed a tree to see Jesus whom he was surely convinced could give him what he lacked: spiritual fulfilment!
Ironically, Jesus had already identified the needs of Zacchaeus and had made up his mind to fulfil them. When Jesus approached the place, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay in your house.”
Zacchaeus was overjoyed such that at his home he gave a great feast to honour his guest. As usual the critics felt Jesus was not scribe enough by being a guest of a man they had tagged as sinner!
There comes a time when we must leave the critics to say whatever they want! Jesus has an agenda with the sinner not with the righteous!
Zacchaeus is our model for true conversion. Rich as he was, he knew his wealth was ill-gotten. The moment he received Jesus he saw how empty he was and he declared: “Look, Lord, I give half my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
Dear friend, life without Christ, no matter how colourful it appears is “shattered dreams!”
No matter the accusations (un)justifiably levied against you, Jesus is at your doorstep, declaring to the accusers, “Today salvation has come to this house…the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost”(Lk.19:1-10).
Oh yes, “sinners Jesus will receive, tell his word of grace to all…” However, you must also express the need to see Jesus, and when you find him, think of the poor and make restitution to those whom you cheated of their rightful share of the collective cake!
Sunday Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for dieing for a sinner like me. Lord as I receive you in my life, may I confess and make restitution to those whom I’ve cheated in any way. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!