Daily Devotion – 01-11-2021

Be imitators of me

“…he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him…”

– Luke 19:4

Jericho was a magnificent city in Israel. In those days it was under the rule of the Romans. Many important government offices including the income tax office were found in this ancient city. The trees on either side of the roads were felled for broadening the roads and for many other reasons. But an old sycamore tree stood upright for years unnoticed. Shall we listen to what the sycamore tree tells us?

“The people were excited as they came to know that Jesus was going to pass that way. I thought many people would come to rest under my shade. Among the crowd, a man of short stature sought to see Jesus. He was too short to see who Jesus was. So, he climbed up on me. I know him very well as a cruel and unjust tax collector. But I was kind enough to let him climb on me. I lifted him up so that he could see Jesus clearly. I carried him patiently for some time. Then I saw Jesus coming close to me. I was glad. Jesus looked up and saw him and said, “Zacchaeus make haste and come down for today I must stay at your home.” I was surprised when Jesus called him by his name. Zacchaeus came down and received Jesus joyfully. But all the people fretted about it and complained that he was going to a sinner’s home. But I was so delighted to see the happy faces of the poor and needy with money in their hands. I listened to their conversations. They were saying, Zacchaeus has restored fourfold what he had taken unjustly and by false accusation. What a dramatic transformation brought in him by Jesus in a few minutes! I was exceedingly happy.

Beloved in Christ, sometimes it may not be possible for us to return the money taken unfairly from others. But you can live as I lived without much ado. I allowed Zacchaeus to climb on me. Just like that you accept sinners. I carried him for a while and you too can bear with their infirmities and help them out of their problems. By all means try to reach out to the poor and needy and help them come to Jesus. I was useful for one day. But the one who climbed up on me is being spoken for years. One who is led to Jesus by you may be spoken about by all. Do little deeds of kindness to others so that they can find Jesus and be blessed. It is quite meaningless to live and die for ourselves. The true delight lies in our efforts for the transformation of others and their blessings, doesn’t it?

-K. David Ganesan

Prayer Request:

Pray that the hand of the Lord is upon all the ministries to be carried out throughout this month.

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