Dr. W's Reflections...
Wow. 71. What. A. Day. Amen.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our Sunday so special. Above all, praise God from whom all blessings flow!
As your Pastor, it is exciting to see how you are responding to how God is growing our church family. And, as we learned on Sunday morning, let’s always remember that a heart of hospitality is all about looking for ways to bless people–and never to impress them. So, let’s continue to practice the Golden Rule of Jesus as we cast a long tall shadow of love, kindness, respect, and compassion toward others. Let’s continue to pray: “Lord send people to us and send us to people.”
And, one last thing: Don’t get stuck up a tree! For just as Jesus welcomed Zacchaeus into his life then, Jesus welcomes you and me into his life now.
The Lord be with you,
Wyatt
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A HEART OF HOSPITALITY (Luke 19:1-10)
“ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
The story about Zacchaeus is a story of salvation. But it is also a story about divine hospitality. When Zacchaeus first met Jesus, he had a problem. Because he was a tax collector, he was hated for who he was and for what he did. In the eyes of many, Zacchaeus was branded as a no good, dirty rotten scoundrel. But because Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost,” Zacchaeus was given a fresh start and a new beginning.
The story about Zacchaeus is a reminder that many of us have also been branded–at one time or another. But, because of Jesus, we–just like Zacchaeus–are now sinners who have been saved and are no longer sinners who remain lost. For just as Jesus welcomed Zacchaeus into his life, Jesus welcomes you and me into his today. And when this happens, our hearts too–just like with Zacchaeus–will be humbled with penitence as Jesus gives us his heart of hospitality.