RECEIVE HIM JOYFULLY

“If any one come to you and does not bring this doctrine (is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught), do not receive him—do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him—into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.”—2 John 10 (Amplified)

In some cultures of the world, it is not customary to invite an unexpectant guest into your home.  Because the guest is treated with much respect, the host will spend considerably time and preparation to demonstrate to the guest that he or she is honored.  However, in today’s devotional we will look at a man who received Jesus joyfully into his home without any prior notification that He would be coming.

Luke 19: 1-10

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷ But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”  ⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”  ⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; ¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Let’s look at some lessons that we can learn from this passage of scripture.

·         The city had been built under a curse.  Jesus didn’t let this bother Him—He came to redeem humankind from the curse.  Jesus came to redeem you from every curse.   The gospel removes the curse.   

·         Jesus was going through the city on the way to raise Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus is coming to you. 

·         Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector.  Christ came to save even the chief of sinners.

·         Zacchaeus was rich in this world’s goods.  No matter what economic station you enjoy in this life you can be saved.

·         Zacchaeus was very curios to see Jesus.  Be like Zacchaeus, who would see Jesus.  See Jesus in the scriptures, in other people, and let other’s see Jesus in you.

·         Zacchaeus did not allow his station in life to prevent him from seeing Jesus.  He used the resources at hand to see the man he had heard so much about.  He climbed a tree like a young boy.  Approach Jesus with child-like faith.

·         Zacchaeus came to look upon Jesus; not thinking that he would be noticed by Jesus.    The one that has a mind to know Christ shall be known by Him.

·         Jesus called Zacchaeus by name.  Jesus knows His chosen by name and He is calling to you.

·         Zacchaeus did not hesitate he came down.  Those that Christ calls must come down, must humble themselves and not think that they can enter heaven through any of their own righteousness.

·         Zacchaeus came down and opened his home for Jesus to come in.  Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks.  Will you invite Him in?

·         Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully into his home.  This was an indication and token of his receiving Christ into his heart.  When you receive others into your home that confess Jesus Christ is Lord, it is then as if, you are receiving Christ into your home.

Prayer—Lord if I have been hesitant to open my home up to you to minister to your people, I repent.  Help me to obey you quickly when I hear you calling me by name. I ask you to show me new ways that I can demonstrate your love to people, in Jesus Name. Amen.