here’s something I’ve been thinking about for the past few days:
Some people say that you shouldn’t give money to the rough guys- the “bums”- who stand on the corners with signs that say “Will work for food. God bless you.” People say that you can’t trust them- people say that they’re just going to take your cash & go get drunk. Well, I think every situation is different and you just never really know whether that person is seriously in need or not. I was reading the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 the other day and it got me thinking.(Bear w/me… as I paraphrase & ramble.) Here was this guy who was a tax collector… this guy who no one liked and no one trusted… and Jesus looks up at him DIRECTLY and calls out to him and says “Zacchaeus! Get down! I MUST go to your house today!” And the people mutter among themselves: Jesus is going to hang out w/a sinner? So, this Monday, as I was sitting at the traffic light where my daily “bum” stands with his sign… and as I was thinking about what people say about “bums”, God reminded me and said “Hey, I want to go to his house.” No matter what other people may be thinking about someone else… it doesn’t matter because Jesus wants to visit their house. Even if they’re not living for God as Zacchaeus… even if they’re dirty and stinky… Jesus still says to them “HEY! I MUST GO TO YOUR HOUSE TODAY!” How cool is that? I love that. I love that God wants to visit my “bum”… He wants to visit the cool gothic girl who’s the checkout clerk at my grocery store… He wants to visit all of us… Get out of that tree!
And notice that the Bible doesn’t say that Jesus stopped, asked what the guy’s name was who was hanging out in the tree and then said “Zacchaeus! Come down here & let’s go hang out at your place!” No, He didn’t have to ask what Zacchaeus’ name was… (at least not that we know of) He already knew Zach’s name. I love that He knows the names of all the people in my life like the checkout clerk & the bum. yup, cool stuff.
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4 comments:
Well put, Lambie, well put! I love the fact that Jesus never succumbed to our all-inclusive thinking that neatly puts everyone into categories but rather looks at each individual and their circumstances prior to judgment. And it is wonderful that He knows all of our names. Bible says that no one has to tell Jesus what is in a person's heart--He already knows! As you would so aptly put, "How cool is that?!" Keep up the good work!
You're right. It's appropriate for us to give because we are not responsible for the bad choices people might make with the blessings that we give. We never know what their intentions are, and its really not up to us to decide that. God wants us to give!
Kristin,
I love that story. I as well love that Jesus knows my name. We have been singing a song at church "He Knows My Name" just love that song. There is a verse that says he knows my every care he see each tear that falls. That is so true no matter who we are if we make a living working or standing on a street corner. He knows and Loves us. Oh to be like Jesus.
Happy Late Birthday!!!!
-Eb
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