July 11 & 12, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Chronicles and Luke? Here’s today’s reading:
Luke 19 (NIV)
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.…..Continue Reading
Jesus came to save the lost not reinforce things to already follow, so then why wouldn’t He reach out to eat and talk with the sinners? We can’t save the saved, we need to reach out to the broken and the hurting, the ones that really need Jesus. If we lock ourselves up in church and look down on those that are sinning what makes us any better than the third servant who did nothing with what the master gave him? God gave us gifts, talents, and resources to serve and to save the lost. We cannot bring the good news to people unless we reach them where they are.
Jesus defies convention and goes to the house of a tax collector and true salvation is found in Zacchaeus’ repentance. And God cares about how we steward the gifts He gives by how we multiply ourselves in other’s lives. And for anyone who thinks Jesus would never judge them harshly, they need to read Luke 19:27 and see what He says about those who reject Him. And the beginning of the end starts next as Jesus enters Jerusalem to the praise of the onlookers and followers. I just love when Jesus says the stones will cry out. Nothing can hinder the praise of God and so how awesome that we can join in with full voice and full heart! And Jesus shows the nature of His authority by driving out the sellers and money changers as well as people hanging on His every word. What a wonderful Savior!
Zacchaeus. The ultimate traitor to the Jewish people. A Jew himself who now collects money for Rome. No wonder the people questioned that Zacchaeus’ heart is changed but his behavior shows it is. Faith in action. Talents/gifts. We have been given resources to further God’s kingdom here on earth. God’s ambassadors. The man who buried his talent cared nothing about God’s kingdom only his own. So the question is. Do we care? Do I care about furthering God’s kingdom? Jesus wept over His city. Even to explain because you didn’t see the eternal kingdom God was bringing. Jerusalem would be destroyed in 70AD. My house. A house of worship, healing, praising? God’s house a house of prayer!
Luke 19
Luke 19
Luke 19
Luke 19
Luke 19
Luke 19
Zacchaeus was a tax collector, the worst of sinners according to the Jews, but his heart was open to Jesus. So he welcomed him into his home, he listened to his teaching, and he responded with repentence and joy. Let us recognize people who are walking in sin and darkness but have the desire to know the One who forgives and saves. We can dramatically change their lives if we get to know them and share the gospel. And Jesus gives more to those who use the gifts he gave them to love others and advance the kingdom. Those who have much but do not use it properly will lose what they have, and those who have little but use it correctly will receive more. For God loves to see us use our talents and gifts to do what he purposed us to do.
The Master will be delayed. The use of the talents is not about $ but is a test of faithfulness. The reward is not rest from one’s labor, but being entrusted with authority and responsibility in the Kingdom.
I was thinking about what motivates us. Are we looking forward to rest, meaning laziness? Or are we looking for rest from striving, having confidence of our eternal security and service to the King?