31c                                                     10/26/16

Wisdom 11:22 – 12:2

The awesomeness of God – “Before the Lord the whole universe is a grain from a balance or a drop of morning dew…”

As the Creator – “you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made;”

In creating us you put something of yourself in us – “O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

You are a gentle loving Father – “Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O lord!”

 

Luke 19: 1 –10

Zacchaeus, it would appear, got much of his wealth through extortion by charging much more for taxes than he rightly should have and collecting the excessive overage for himself.  He “was seeking to see who Jesus was.”  Why?  Perhaps because, though wealthy, he was not happy, despite his wealth.  Jesus perceives that Zacchaeus is ready to have him enter into his life, saying to him, “for today I must stay at your house.”  Zachaeus was ready as he “received him with joy.”

The crowd grumbled, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”

In that part of the world, the culture is that the dirt of the sinner soils those who are near him, but Jesus is the one who can wash away the dirt of sin and make sinless/holy.  Zacchaeus is washed clean by presence of Jesus, whom Zacchaeus has not only received into his house but also into his heart.  “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”  Jesus responds, “Today salvation has come to this house…”  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”  Zacchaeus was open to the work of the Spirit so that he recognized his sinfulness and sought salvation.  He opened the door to Jesus when he knocked.

 

2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2

“that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith”.  It is by God’s action that every good thing is done; however, he requires of us that we cooperate with his grace.  When we do work with him, according to his Will, Jesus is glorified in us and we in him.

 

1. B.: disregard anything or anyone who declares they know the day of the coming of our Lord.