April 6 | Luke 18:31-19:10
- Elaine Pierce
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Rich Man, Poor Man
By Elaine Pierce
These verses are filled with activity and deep meaning. In verses 31-34, Jesus plainly tells the disciples that he is going to die but he will rise again on the third day, and they don't understand any of this (v. 34). After this, they are travelling to Jericho and a blind man begging on the roadside calls out "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" The disciples try to get him out of Jesus' way, but Jesus of course, heals him. And, finally, he calls out to Zacchaeus who has climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus and invites himself over to dinner. As we all know from the childhood song, Zacchaeus was a "wee little man, and a wee little man was he" and he was also, more importantly, a hated tax collector. The crowd was not happy that Jesus welcomes this 'sinner' into the kingdom:
"Today, salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (v. 9).
Again, Jesus is full of surprises. He heals a blind beggar - truly one of society's outcasts. And he welcomes a pawn of the Roman government - a turncoat tax collector - into the kingdom. And he tells his closest followers that he will soon be mocked, insulted, and killed. Does this sound like a victorious leader? Is this someone we want to follow?
A couple of Sundays ago, the scripture was Luke 15:1-10, where Jesus tells his audience two short parables: the lost sheep and the lost coin. In Luke 18 we see that he seeks out two lost, cast-aside people: a blind beggar and a hated tax collector. He offers hope to those who aren't successful by society's standards, but he also offers mercy to those who, by outward appearances, seem to have comfort and ease. Zacchaeus was wealthy, but his life was empty without Jesus. The blind man begged for mercy, and Jesus healed him despite the disciples' efforts to turn him away.
Who needs Jesus? Everyone! Let's be open to those God puts in our path this week, whether it's a poor blind man or a person of great wealth. God will use us if we let him.
PRAYER
Lord, take my blinders off and help me to be your hands and feet with whoever I come in contact with this week. Everyone needs you, and help me to be your instrument. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAINE PIERCE
It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!
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