Show Up: Receive the Lord

~~~ 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 ~~~ Psalm 3 ~~~ Luke 19:1-10 ~~~

 

We have two very different examples of faith given to us today.

First we have Eleazar, he has been faithful

to the Lord since childhood. He is now facing the temptation

to abandon his faith to save his own life. He is ninety years old.

He has the strength of character and the faith to withstand those around him.

Even his friends are coaxing him into saving himself...just this one time.

 

On the other hand we are presented with the chief

official tax collector, Zacchaeus.

He is a considered a thief, a crook, therefore a sinner. He is despised by others.

In this familiar story we know that he runs ahead and climbs the tree

to get a better view of Jesus. Climbing the tree that day changed him forever;

it brought him salvation.

 

So where do you find yourself? Are you like Eleazar?

Have you been faithful since your childhood?

Are you like Zacchaeus? Has God given you a conversion experience? 

Or are you waiting for that conversion event, while continuing

 to do your own thing?

 

God is present in both of these scenarios...he finds a way

to manifest his presence to us as needed.

 

 

Perhaps you have heard of the "7 Ups" of life...

Wake up...Dress up...Shut up...Stand up...Look up...Reach up...Lift up.

 

I would like to add one more...Show up...

Zacchaeus shows up to get a better look at Jesus.

Jesus looks up into the tree...reaches up to Zacchaeus with his invitation

to dine with him, and finally lifts him up

to enjoy the blessings of salvation.

 

“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”

If we will only 'Show Up"

Jesus will do the rest.

 

The tree of our downfall becomes the saving tree of life for Zacchaeus.

Blessings from coming to see the Lord.

Step out of the crowd and grace will lift you up.

Receive the Lord with Joy.