The Lord Upholds

~~~ Saint Elizabeth of Hungary ~~~

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

Stories of martyrdom were popular in the book of Macabees.
They were written to encourage the Jewish
people during times of persecution.

I cannot help but to recall the recent images of Christian people
today enduring similar persecution. 

It seems there is always one group in power
who takes pleasure in persecuting another group.

The driving force is always self serving.
God is pushed completely out of the picture.
Words may pretend to be acting on God's behalf,
but they are never truly aligned with God.

 ...the Son of Man has come to seek

and to save what was lost.

Jesus calls for Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector,
to come down from his perch in the tree.

Zacchaeus was curious about Jesus...
he wanted to get a good look at him for himself.

Imagine his shock when Jesus
invites himself to dinner that very evening.

The Lord upholds me.

Zacchaeus had been lurking around Jesus...
listening to his preaching from afar.
He finally gets up the nerve to climb high
 enough to at least see Jesus.

Zacchaeus comes to the realization
 that something is missing in his life.

There is something that all of his wealth cannot buy.

There is something more...Jesus holds the answer.

Jesus touches Zacchaeus deep within the core of his soul.
He vows to repent...to share his wealth with the poor.
He even promises to make retribution for those
 he has previously deceived.

Did you notice that it was not Jesus
who commanded Zacchaeus to repent?

Jesus simply said...
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.” 

How has this same spirit of God
moved you to repent for your sins?

The Lord upholds all those who come to him...
all who seek to see him.

Receive Jesus with joy into your heart...
all things will change.

The Lord upholds me.

Blessings to reform.
~~~Peace~~~