Verse of the Day 12/19

Verse of the Day 12/19

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."    English Standard Version (ESV)

If you are following a read through the Bible plan that includes both Old and New Testament readings, over the past couple of days you've probably read through the short Old Testament book of Jonah.  Most commonly known because of Jonah and the whale the book is really about Jonah, the reluctant prophet who tried to run away from God which led him to the belly of the fish.  Reluctantly he went and delivered a message.  The whole city of Ninevah responded and what was Jonah's attitude, he sulked and you get the feeling that he was just waiting to see that their conversion was not real and that God would still bring judgment.

Fast forward to today's verse in Luke, another familiar passage about Zacchaeus, that we little man, whom Jesus sought out, who turned and immediately showed signs that he truly had been changed by offering to pay back fourfold any that he had "over taxed".  Jesus showed grace, mercy, compassion.  Jonah sulked and was angry with God for His mercy, grace and compassion on the despised Ninevites.  You might say that Jesus came to seek and save while Jonah hoped that God would come on a seek and destroy mission.

The verse also brings up images from Luke 15 with the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son, the prodigal son.  The father in that parable is the picture of God the Father, running to meet, to seek out those who have repented, turned towards God.

What is our attitude towards the lost?  Do we seek, pray and work for their salvation our are we more like Jonah? 

If you have some time over the next couple of days, read the passage from Luke 19 and go back and read the short book of Jonah.  Look for the contrasts between Jesus and Jonah.  Let it speak to you.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Luke 19:1-10The Message (MSG)

Zacchaeus

19 ^1-4 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.

^5-7 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home." Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?"

⁸ Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages."

^9-10 Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."