AUGUST 10, 2012
Seek
And Save
Read: Luke 19:1-10
The Son
of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10
Lachlan Macquarie, governor of New South Wales from
1810–1821,
had a way of making everyone feel included in the new colony. When
the “exclusives” (free settlers, civil servants, and military officers)
shunned
the society of the “emancipists” (transported convicts given
conditional or
absolute pardon), Governor Macquarie insisted that they
be treated as social
equals.
Jesus showed interest in Zacchaeus, a shunned tax
collector in Jericho,
and included him in the recipients of His salvation plan
(Luke 19:1-10).
A marginalized and hated man because of his profession,
Zacchaeus was
desperate to see Jesus and climbed a tree to get a glimpse of
Him. When
Jesus passed by, He saw Zacchaeus’ desire and told him to come down
because he had a divine appointment at his house. Some complained that
Jesus
was spending time with a sinner. His loving attention changed
Zacchaeus’ life.
He repented and offered restitution for those he had
defrauded. Salvation had
come to his house.
Jesus’ mission was simple: Diligently search for lost
people, whatever
their social standing, and offer them God’s salvation plan. As
followers
of Christ, we too have that as our mission.
Lord, help us show
compassion
To a world that’s
lost in sin,
So when we share
the gospel,
Hungry souls for
Christ we’ll win. —Sper
Christ’s
mission is our mission.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
