Verse from Luke

“耶稣到了那里，往上一看，对他说：“撒该，快下来，今天我要住在你家里。””

路加福音 19:5

“When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."”

Luke 19:5

When Dave was a kid, his family made a monthly excursion from Ohio to West Virginia to visit his maternal grandparents. Every time they arrived at the door of their farmhouse, Grandma Lester would greet them with the words, “Come on in and sit a spell.” It was her way of telling them to make themselves comfortable, stay a while, and share in some “catching-up” conversation.

Life can get pretty busy. In our action-oriented world, it’s hard to get to know people. It’s tough to find time to ask someone to “sit a spell” with us. We can get more done if we text each other and get right to the point. 

But look at what Jesus did when He wanted to make a difference in the life of a tax collector. He went to Zacchaeus’s house to “sit a spell.” His words, “I must stay at your house” indicate that this was no quick stopover (Luke 19:5). Jesus spent time with him, and Zacchaeus’s life was turned around because of this time with Jesus.

On the front porch of Dave's grandmother’s house were several chairs—a warm invitation to all visitors to relax and talk. If we’re going to get to know someone and to make a difference in their life—as Jesus did for Zacchaeus—we need to invite them to “come sit a spell.”

The best gift you can give to others may be your time.

Insight

For generations, the government of ancient Rome commissioned generals to conquer and colonize people of various cultures and locations. In governing these conquered people, Rome enlisted the service of the publicani, who are called publicans or tax collectors in Scripture. These publicans were often considered both traitors to their own people and collaborators with the occupying forces, and they would often tax more revenue than required in order to line their own pockets. Today’s reading bears significant meaning because it shows how even a hated publican like Zacchaeus received forgiveness and redemption through Christ. As a result of his repentance, Zacchaeus reimbursed those he had cheated four times the amount he had taken. 

Dennis Fisher