Joshua 16-18 / Luke 19:1-27 / Psalm 87 / Proverbs 13:11
Ok y’all, it’s time to put on my thick southern accent for this post. This post is about hospitality and you know we southerners have some skills in that department! Food, sweet tea, sittin’ on the veranda under a fan on a hot summer day… I can see myself there now!
All that said, how many of you were taught that you don’t invite yourself over to someone’s house; you wait to be invited. Even if you really want to go, you must be polite and wait for that invitation. Evidently no one told Jesus about this rule, because upon first meeting Zacchaeus, Jesus has already invited Himself over for the day!
This has me thinkin’ I’ve missed some sort of boat of opportunity! If Jesus can invite Himself over to other people’s houses, why can’t I? I think I’m gonna try that! Who’s first? Seriously, y’all, I’m gonna be scopin’ out a good candidate, preferably someone who I know is a good cook!
But not only did Jesus invite Himself over, He chose the most notorious man in town. He wasn’t just a tax collector (hated by everyone), he was the chief tax collector! And Jesus was gonna have supper with him. I know enough about eastern culture to know that once everyone knew Jesus would be there at the house of this very rich man, the guest list likely filled up quickly! It would have been a feast!
The text says the people were displeased because Jesus was going to the house of this sinner. I think they were jealous because they didn’t get an invitation! They knew they were missing out on some good food and wine! Okay, maybe that’s just my opinion. But I could be partially correct.
These people were all about appearances, and Jesus coming as a righteous man was not supposed to eat with sinners. I guess his daddy should have taught Him better because He did it all the time! As a matter of fact, Jesus was a friend of sinners.
What about you? Would you agree to eat dinner with a known sinner? Would you invite one to your house and share a meal? You know if it worked for Jesus, I’d have to follow the example.
I wish there were more to this story. We do know that whatever happened while Jesus was with Zacchaeus caused Zacchaeus to have a change of heart. He gave half his wealth to the poor and anyone who had been cheated received back four times what was taken. Jesus declared this to be a work of salvation. Beautiful story!
Who knows what God might do through you if you’re willing to open your home and your life? Love and Truth have a powerful way of sabotaging the hardest of hearts.
