A Daily Purpose Day 108

I want to focus for a few moments on Jesus passing through a city.

In Luke 19, we see Jesus passing through the city of Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. This seemingly ordinary event carries great spiritual significance, revealing important truths about the nature of Christ’s ministry and our own spiritual journey.

Jesus passing through a city reminds us of His mission to seek and save the lost. As He traveled from place to place, He preached the good news of the kingdom, healing the sick and demonstrating God’s love and mercy. In Jericho, He encountered Zacchaeus, a notorious tax collector who had been ostracized by his community. Despite the people’s disapproval, or the stern warnings to be quiet as we read Bartimaues story yesterday. We see Jesus welcoming  Zacchaeus and declaring that He had come to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). This encounter highlights the inclusive nature of Christ’s ministry, and His willingness to reach out to those who had been rejected by society. Yes Jesus loves you and He loves me. 

Jesus passing through a city reminds us of the importance of hospitality and community. When Jesus entered Jericho, the people welcomed Him and sought to hear His message. Zacchaeus, though he was an outcast, responded to Jesus’ invitation and welcomed Him into his home. This encounter reveals the power of hospitality to bridge divides and create meaningful connections between people. It also highlights the importance of community in our spiritual journey, as we seek to support and encourage one another on the path of faith.

Jesus passing through a city reminds us of the urgency of our spiritual journey. As Jesus traveled from place to place, He knew that His time on earth was limited. In Jericho, He spoke of the need to use our talents wisely and to invest in the things that truly matter (Luke 19:11-27). This message reminds us that we must not waste our time on earth, but rather use it to grow in our faith and serve God’s purposes.

Let’s focus on Zaccaeus’ story for a moment and pull out a few applicable ways we can be prepared for Jesus to pass through our homes, businesses, or just show up in a miraculous way. I don’t ever want to miss an opportunity to point to Jesus. And that takes preparation and discernment. 

So like Zacchaeus, we must be willing to take action and position ourselves to encounter Christ when He comes. We cannot afford to be passive or indifferent, but must actively seek Him out and prepare ourselves to receive His grace and love.

So, how can we prepare for Jesus when He passes through our lives? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Seek Him in prayer: Just as Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus, we can seek Him in prayer, lifting up our hearts and minds to God and asking Him to reveal Himself to us.
2. Study His Word: The Bible is God’s Word, and it reveals His character and will for our lives. By reading and studying the Scriptures, we can prepare ourselves to recognize Jesus when He comes.
3. Cultivate a spirit of humility: Zacchaeus was willing to humble himself and climb a tree to see Jesus, despite the ridicule of those around him. We too must cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing our need for Christ’s grace and mercy.
4. Open our hearts to His love: When Jesus passed through Jericho, He saw Zacchaeus and called him by name, offering him the gift of salvation. We too must open our hearts to His love, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.

In conclusion, Jesus passing through a city reminds us of the importance of being prepared to encounter Him when He comes. Like Zacchaeus, we must be willing to take action and position ourselves to receive His grace and love. May we seek Him in prayer, study His Word, cultivate a spirit of humility, and open our hearts to His transforming love, so that we may be prepared to encounter Him when He passes through our lives. Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost should create urgency in our spiritual journey.  

 As we reflect on this story, may we be inspired to follow Christ’s example, welcoming others into our lives and using our time and talents wisely for God’s purposes.