Welcome That Opens the Hand
My dear son,
You do not have to become worthy of love before you may come near me. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name while he was still up in the tree. I want to be close to the life you actually live.
The love Zacchaeus welcomed with joy changed what he did with his possessions. He promised to share what he owned and repay what he had taken. I want the gladness of being loved to flow through you to your neighbors, too.
An honest, generous heart means more to me than an impressive collection of possessions. Return what needs returning, and gladly share what can be enjoyed together. Let the love between us bring warmth to your table.
With all my love,
Your Father
Luke 19:5–8
WEB5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
6He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully.
7When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”
8Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.”
A short reflection
When Jesus says he will stay at Zacchaeus's house, Zacchaeus welcomes him joyfully and promises to give to the poor and repay those he has defrauded.
World English Bible (WEB) · Public DomainRead the chapter