Responding to Jesus: Curiosity, Repentance, and Kingdom Work

Devotional

Day 1: Curiosity and Humility as Pathways to Encounter

Zacchaeus' story is a powerful reminder of how curiosity and humility can lead to profound spiritual encounters. Despite his wealth and status as a tax collector, Zacchaeus was driven by a deep curiosity to see Jesus. This curiosity led him to climb a sycamore tree, an act of humility that positioned him to be noticed by Jesus. In this moment, Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and invited Himself into his home, leading to Zacchaeus' transformation. This narrative encourages us to remain curious about our faith and to seek Jesus with humility, knowing that such a posture can lead to life-changing encounters. [13:34]

"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' And he told them a parable, saying, 'The land of a rich man produced plentifully.'" (Luke 12:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice humility today to better position yourself to encounter Jesus?

Day 2: The Divine Initiative in Our Salvation

The story of Zacchaeus also highlights the divine initiative in our salvation. Before Zacchaeus even sought Jesus, Jesus was already seeking him. This demonstrates that Jesus knows us by name and desires to enter into our lives, offering us grace and salvation. It is a comforting reminder that Jesus is actively seeking us and those around us, inviting us to respond to His call. We are encouraged to be open to His invitation and to recognize His presence in our lives. [17:49]

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

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt pursued by God's love. How can you be more aware of His presence and initiative in your life today?

Day 3: True Repentance Involves Change and Restitution

Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to genuine repentance and a commitment to restitution. This demonstrates that true repentance involves a change of heart and actions. Zacchaeus not only repented but also made amends by giving half of his possessions to the poor and repaying those he had defrauded fourfold. This story calls us to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and make amends where necessary, clearing our hearts of idols and embracing God's grace. [21:21]

"Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham." (Luke 3:8, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to make amends with today? What steps can you take to demonstrate true repentance in your life?

Day 4: Faithfulness in Kingdom Work

The parable of the ten minas challenges us to use the gifts and opportunities God gives us for His kingdom. The nobleman, representing Jesus, entrusts his servants with resources to manage in his absence. Upon his return, he rewards those who have been faithful and productive. This parable encourages us to actively engage in God's work, using our talents for His glory. Our faithfulness in these matters impacts the growth of God's kingdom. [24:41]

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have that you can use to serve others and further God's kingdom today?

Day 5: Stepping Out of the Crowd

Both Zacchaeus and the faithful servants in the parable stepped out of the crowd, whether it was the crowd of grumblers or the crowd of complacency. We are called to rise above the chaos and confusion, to seek Jesus with curiosity and humility, and to respond to His call with boldness and generosity. In doing so, we become bringers of hope and participants in God's redemptive work. [28:21]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you step out of the crowd today to seek Jesus more intentionally and respond to His call with boldness?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the story of Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas from Luke 19. These narratives invite us to consider our position in the crowd and our response to Jesus' call. Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, driven by curiosity and a desire to discover who Jesus was. This act of humility positioned him to be found by Jesus, who called him by name and invited himself into Zacchaeus' home. This encounter led to Zacchaeus' repentance and restitution, demonstrating that Jesus seeks us out even before we seek Him.

The parable of the ten minas further illustrates the importance of how we respond to what Jesus entrusts us with. The nobleman, representing Jesus, gives his servants resources to manage in his absence. Upon his return, he rewards those who have been faithful and productive, while the servant who did nothing with his mina loses even what he had. This parable challenges us to engage actively in the kingdom of God, using the gifts and opportunities He provides for His glory.

Both stories emphasize the necessity of stepping out of the crowd, whether it be the crowd of grumblers or the crowd of complacency. Jesus calls us to be curious, to seek Him, and to respond to His invitation with joy and repentance. He offers salvation and equips us to participate in His kingdom work. As we reflect on these passages, we are encouraged to examine our own lives, clear out idols, and embrace the transformative power of Jesus' call.

Key Takeaways

1. Curiosity and Humility Lead to Discovery: Zacchaeus' curiosity about Jesus led him to climb a tree, an act of humility that positioned him to encounter Jesus. This teaches us that genuine curiosity about Jesus can lead to profound spiritual discoveries and transformation. We are encouraged to remain curious about our faith and to seek Jesus with humility. [13:34]
2. Jesus Seeks Us First: Before Zacchaeus sought Jesus, Jesus was already seeking him. This highlights the divine initiative in our salvation. Jesus knows us by name and desires to enter into our lives, offering us grace and salvation. We are reminded that Jesus is actively seeking us and those around us, inviting us to respond to His call. [17:49]
3. Repentance and Restitution: Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to genuine repentance and a commitment to restitution. This demonstrates that true repentance involves a change of heart and actions. We are called to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and make amends where necessary, clearing our hearts of idols and embracing God's grace. [21:21]
4. Engaging in Kingdom Work: The parable of the ten minas challenges us to use the gifts and opportunities God gives us for His kingdom. We are entrusted with resources and responsibilities, and our faithfulness in these matters impacts the growth of God's kingdom. We are encouraged to actively engage in God's work, using our talents for His glory. [24:41]
5. Stepping Out of the Crowd: Both Zacchaeus and the faithful servants stepped out of the crowd, whether it was the crowd of grumblers or the crowd of complacency. We are called to rise above the chaos and confusion, to seek Jesus with curiosity and humility, and to respond to His call with boldness and generosity. In doing so, we become bringers of hope and participants in God's redemptive work. [28:21]
** [28:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:25] - The Challenge of Crowds
[06:34] - Zacchaeus' Curiosity
[09:39] - The Parable of the Ten Minas
[13:34] - Seeking Jesus with Curiosity
[17:49] - Jesus Seeks Us First
[21:21] - Repentance and Restitution
[24:41] - Engaging in Kingdom Work
[28:21] - Stepping Out of the Crowd
[33:00] - The Call to Radical Discipleship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What actions did Zacchaeus take to see Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to him? [06:34]
In the parable of the ten minas, what were the different responses of the servants to the nobleman's instructions? [09:39]
How did the crowd react to Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus, and what does this reveal about their understanding of Jesus' mission? [17:49]
What was the outcome for the servant who did nothing with his mina, and what lesson does this teach about responsibility? [24:41]

Interpretation Questions

How does Zacchaeus' curiosity and subsequent actions demonstrate the relationship between humility and spiritual discovery? [13:34]
What does Jesus' initiative in seeking Zacchaeus first tell us about the nature of divine grace and salvation? [17:49]
In what ways does the parable of the ten minas challenge believers to engage in kingdom work, and what are the consequences of failing to do so? [24:41]
How does the crowd's grumbling reflect common misconceptions about Jesus' mission, and how can these misconceptions be addressed in today's context? [21:21]

Application Questions

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus, an act of humility and curiosity. What practical steps can you take to seek Jesus with the same curiosity and humility in your daily life? [13:34]
Jesus sought Zacchaeus before Zacchaeus sought Him. Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus was seeking you. How did you respond, and how can you be more open to His call now? [17:49]
Zacchaeus' repentance led to restitution. Is there an area in your life where you need to make amends or clear out idols? What steps can you take this week to address this? [21:21]
The parable of the ten minas emphasizes using our gifts for God's kingdom. Identify one gift or resource you have. How can you use it more effectively for God's glory? [24:41]
The crowd grumbled about Jesus' association with Zacchaeus. How do you react when you see grace extended to those you consider undeserving? How can you cultivate a more gracious attitude? [17:49]
Reflect on a time when you felt part of the "crowd of grumblers" or "crowd of complacency." What changes can you make to step out of that crowd and actively engage in your faith journey? [28:21]
Jesus calls us to be bold and generous in repentance and restitution. What is one bold step you can take this week to align your life more closely with Jesus' teachings? [33:00]

Sermon Clips

As Jesus made his way toward Jerusalem, very near the time that he would approach the city's gates, he met a man who climbed out of the crowd. Luke 19 verse 1 through 10. He entered Jericho and was passing through. There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd since he was a short man. [00:04:30] (34 seconds)

All who saw it began to complain. He's gone to stay with a sinful man. But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much. Today salvation has come to this house, Jesus told him, because he too is a son of Abraham. [00:05:24] (32 seconds)

For the son of man has come to seek and to save the lost. This morning, we're going to look at this story of Jesus, Zacchaeus and the crowd, as well as the parable that Jesus tells them in Luke 19, 11 through 27. This is a message of Jesus, the son of man, the king of kings, as he calls the lost out of the crowd for salvation and equips his disciples in the kingdom of heaven. [00:05:55] (33 seconds)

Zacchaeus sought to see the Lord. Jesus calls to the man who responds and the crowd judges. Yet salvation came to Zacchaeus' house for the son of man came to seek and to save the lost. As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. [00:07:05] (29 seconds)

Therefore, he said, a nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then to return. He called to the ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and told them, engage in business until I come back. But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him saying, we don't want this man to rule over us. [00:07:24] (32 seconds)

At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those servants he had given the money to so that he could find out how much they had made in business. The first came forward and said, Master, your mina has earned ten more minas. Well done, good servant, he told him. Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over ten towns. [00:08:17] (29 seconds)

The second came and said, Master, your mina has made five minas. So he said to him, you will be over five towns. And another came and said, Master, here is your mina. I have kept it safe in a cloth because I was afraid of you since you're a harsh man. You collect what you didn't deposit and reap what you didn't sow. [00:08:41] (25 seconds)

He told him, I will condemn you by what you have said, you evil servant. If you knew I was a harsh man, collecting what I didn't deposit and reaping what I didn't sow, why then didn't you put my money in the bank? And when I returned, I would have collected it with interest. So he said to those standing there, take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas. [00:09:05] (26 seconds)

I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given. And from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. But bring here these enemies of mine who did not want me to rule over them and slaughter them in my presence. Seems like a tonal shift, doesn't it? From the brief tale of Zacchaeus to this difficult parable. [00:09:29] (27 seconds)

And yet this parable is what Jesus told the crowds listening to his conversation with Zacchaeus. Those who heard the man's repentance and his offer for restitution and then Jesus' declaration of salvation. Through it all, the Lord shows us what it means to seek him, to be sought by him, or to grumble about him. [00:09:49] (34 seconds)

The Lord shows us what it means to be found, to repent, and to be saved, or to rebel in judgment and accusation. The Lord shows us what it means to wrestle with the kingdom of God and what it means to serve the king of kings equipped as his disciples to do something with what he's freely given us. [00:10:29] (27 seconds)

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