In the last post, we looked at the unmerciful servant and how when he was forgiven of his debt, he chose not to forgive another who owed him. There were bad consequences with that decision. He did not show love to the person who owed him money as he had received from the person he owed.
This week we look at a man that was not liked by the community. He was a tax collector. Often tax collectors would say people owed more than they did and kept the extra for themselves. Yes, they stole from people. His name was Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming to town and so he went t see Jesus. That was the first thing that Zacchaeus did, He wanted to see Jesus. Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house for dinner and while there, Zacchaeus believed in Jesus and Zacchaeus did what we should do when we believe, he took action! Instead of saying I’m going to follow Jesus, and do nothing, Zacchaeus began to payback people he had stolen from. He saw that he had been forgiven and so he began to make right the wrong he had done.
You see, when Jesus forgives us and we begin to follow Him, then unlike the servant from last time, we want to do things that are right and seek forgiveness from others and correct wrongs we’ve done as we’re able. Just like Zacchaeus, when people are forgiven, it can change them.
So what about you? Have you accepted Jesus? Have you been forgiven? Have you changed?
You can read (or listen) to the account of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10
Luke 19:1-10 (ESV)
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Here is a video sharing the lesson as well.
FORGIVENESS:
Deciding that someone who has wronged you, doesn’t have to pay.
