I've been reading the Gospel of Luke, and this morning came to Chapter 19 where Jesus encountered a man named Zacchaeus. If you aren't familiar with the story, Zacchaeus was a tax collector in Jericho, and Jesus happened to be passing through. We aren't told why exactly but, for some reason, Zacchaeus desperately wanted to see Jesus ... but the crowds were too great. So, he climbed a tree. Jesus, walking by, stopped, looked up, and saw Zacchaeus.
Then, Jesus invited himself to dinner at Zacchaeus' house that night. That got me thinking. How would I react if Jesus invited himself to dinner at my house this evening?
First, it would throw my day into an uproar because I'd need to do some house cleaning. Second, I'd have to run to the store or a restaurant because I need food that's edible. So, I'd go to a store or a restaurant that sells high-quality, but already prepared, food. Mostly, though, I'd be worried about other things. Why did Jesus choose my house? What are we going to talk about? Should I invite others to the dinner to help fill in awkward silences? Who should I invite (I need to be careful here!)? Should I hide certain things in the house (you know, those things I might not want Jesus to see) and set out other things (scatter a few Bibles or other religious books around the house in prominent areas)? What would you do?
Zacchaeus does have dinner with Jesus and it changes his life. As a tax collector, he's cheated people and gotten rich. After just one dinner, he sees how wrong he has been, seeks forgiveness, and promises to make amends. They must have had an intense dinner conversation!
The truth is, of course, that Jesus does, at least in a way, invite himself to dinner at our houses every day. We just don't think of him being present - and it's more comfortable for us that way. Jesus didn't invite himself to Zacchaeus' house to condemn or belittle him. He went to show his love for a man society hated and, from that, Zacchaeus changed. Which brings me back to my original question: How would you react if Jesus invited himself to dinner at your house tonight?
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