And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." (Luke 19:5)

What would you do today if a stranger walked up to your door needing a place to stay?  Your guest doesn’t look that impressive.  His only possessions are the clothes on his back.  After further inquiry you discover he was born the son of peasants.  He owns no home, nor does he even aspire to such.  This man of twenty-five years never went to college.  He has no high position in a corporation, and has no such ambitions.  He has never been out of state, except while in exile just after his birth.  In fact he has done nothing that by world standards would be deemed successful.  Would you invite him to be your guest?

The city of Jericho was a great taxation center.  Some have called it the Las Vegas of Palestine.  It was just the right place for an ambitious tax collector.  Zacchaeus was head of the customs department in Jericho.  It was an occupation where it was easy to commit injustices and thus become rich.

On the day Jesus entered Jericho, Zacchaeus’ life would be forever changed.  Jesus made a startling announcement to him: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  Against incredible odds, Zacchaeus gladly receives him as a guest.  Surely one of such status would want to protect his belongings and reputation.

Why would he invite this road weary stranger to sit on his couch?  Who is he to sit at his table?  What if he refuses to leave?  He has nothing to offer materially in return.  Would you have accepted Jesus’ challenge?  Be honest.  Look at him from a purely fleshly viewpoint.  He has no wealth.  He has never written a book, nor founded a college.  He has no fancy building for a place to preach.  Would you have invited him into your home?

What would motivate Zacchaeus to take such a risk?  The answer is simple:  He was rich, but lonely.  Despised and hated by men he sought the love of God.  This man, short in stature, climbed into a tree hoping for just a glimpse.  However, Zacchaeus’ ambition was rewarded beyond his wildest imagination!  “Salvation” came to his house!

Now here is the challenge.  Would you have invited Jesus into your home?  Consider these words of Jesus.  Speaking of caring for the needy, the infirmed, and the prisoner, he said, “I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.'” (Matthew 25:40 TCNT)  Do you see the connection?  When we have served the lowly, we have truly served Him.  

Tomorrow Jesus may be passing through your home town wherever it is.  He may want to have dinner with you.  He wants to talk with you about eternal matters.  What about it?  Has he knocked on your heart’s door?  Have you let Him in?     Zacchaeus left the path of common sense and made a leap of faith that radically changed his life.  What about you?

By George Slover

So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27)

The surrounding context reveals one of Jesus’ most striking miracles.  The Lord and his disciples entered the boat looking for retirement from the crowd.  Suddenly a storm arose and the boat was tossed and covered with waves.  But, Jesus slept.

Out of despair the disciples awoke the Master and cried to him for help.  It seems strange to me that these who have been masters of the sea, would make such a request from the son of a carpenter.  They did not realize the fullness of his power, but they trusted him as a child would trust a parent when the lightning flashes and thunder rolls.

Jesus gently rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith.  Perhaps it was their impatience that manifested their doubt.  Then, Jesus calmly arose and rebuked the elements, and suddenly there was calm.   The Lord’s slumber demonstrates his complete control of the moment.  Even in the midst of chaos Jesus is still ruling this world.  Who is this one who has such power?  He is God’s son.  He is the Creator and Provider of this marvelous world.

This life is full of unrest, disappointments, and worries.  Is Jesus in the boat?  Does He care?  Such challenges often test our faith.  It may seem like Jesus is asleep, but he is present and he does care indeed!  The outward life may be full of cares, but in the heart of the Christian there is peace.

Christ is never negligent of his people.  He may seem to delay, but at the right moment he will do what is needed.  The words of M.A. Baker in this well known hymn convey these sentiments:

“Master the tempest is raging!  The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’shadowed with blackness, No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest Thou not that we perish?  How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threat’ning  A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace be still! Peace be still!
Whether the wrath of the stormed-tossed sea,  Or demons or men, or whatever it be, No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies!  They all shall sweetly obey Thy will. Peace be still! Peace be still!
They all shall sweetly obey thy will, Peace, peace, be still! 

By George Slover

"And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)

This is one of Solomon’s finest moments.  God has fulfilled the wishes of his father David.  Israel has gathered to dedicate the temple and to offer thanksgivings to God.  At the close of the prayer fire from heaven consumed the offerings and sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the house.  The ceremony was followed by sacrifice on a scale of unusual grandeur.  It was a great day!

Perhaps you’ve had a day in your lifetime when you realized the completion of a lofty goal.  If not, you surely have dreams of the future.  Such aspirations are valuable because they energize us to reach for greater heights.  Solomon was living the dream of his father David.

Our goals may be found in various arenas of life- our job, our family, our neighborhood, our church.  Some dreams are very personal, others involve family or community.  The noblest ambitions are those that will benefit our fellows.

These goals must be guided by the word of God.  Solomon entreats Israel:  "Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day." (1 Kings 8:61)   God has given us a road map to follow.  We can only be successful when our desires follow the path given by our Creator.

All of our ambitions must be tempered by God’s purposes.  We have been placed in this world by a master craftsman and wonderfully made in his image.  Our Creator designed us for a heavenly purpose.  Solomon targets that purpose with these words: that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)  

We were born to manifest the glory of God.  If our aspirations are in harmony with God’s, our light will shine and others will glorify Him as well.  

By George Slover



 

These same thoughts were posted on June 11.  I realize I had given it the wrong title, so I'm posting again.  

"The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:3)

The current political scandals has caused me to reflect upon the character of those who rule our nation.  Leaders from all of the political parties lead dissolute lives.  All of them promise a utopia that will never be attained in this world, because none of them reflect the character of the one mentioned in the text.

David’s words gloriously depict the character of the model king.  The king who rules justly is as refreshing as the risen sun.  He is like the warmth of the sun after the rain that produces the tender vegetation.  Have you ever known a ruler like that?  Some of them may be a little better than others, but they all disappoint you.

The model ruler is named by two characteristics: justice and the fear of God.  The fear of God is the foundation of his character.  His constant concern is doing the will of God.  His rule would be eminently just.  This is a welcome thought in a world full of injustices.  You may find him in the nation, the home, or the church.  He will perform only what is good for his followers.

If we could find such a ruler, his benefit would be as revitalizing as the sun after the rain!  By the sun the darkness of ignorance and oppression is dispelled.  The light of truth and holiness abounds.  Its fruit is like a lush tender grass that springs up from the earth.  Where can we find such a ruler?

There will never be such a leader in this world, though some may make a feeble attempt.  However, the rules of Christ prescribe only what is right toward God and man.  Were they obeyed, all wrong-doing and injustice would cease.  Jesus is the True One, He is the Just One, and he gives light to those who are in darkness.  He wants to rule your life.  This Jesus can be your King and Savior.

By George Slover

 

"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
 
Ecclesiastes is full of wisdom that will help “life under the sun” to be more tolerable.  Life in this oppressive, competitive world is full of challenges and disappointments.  One soon realizes that it is not wise to try to make it through this journey alone.  Thus, Solomon bluntly states that one needs a companion – one that will give us perspective and objectivity.  Why are two better than one?  Consider three answers to the question.
 
First, a companion can offer encouragement when we are weak.  “For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)  This passage always reminds me of the days at Texas A&M when our First Sergeant was determined to “make us run until we dropped.”   On those occasions when a fellow classmate started to fall the rest of us would pick him up and carry him along.  What a valuable lesson!  I should never be shamed to refuse help when needed.  I must ever be diligent to consider the needs of my fellows!
 
Second, a companion can offer support when we are vulnerable.  “Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?”(Ecclesiastes 4:11).  The thought here may represent more than a spouse keeping another warm on a wintry night.  It may represent anytime we are exposed and unguarded.  All are vulnerable, but “two are better than one”.
 
Third, a friend can provide protection when attacked.  “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) We all have a common adversary – the devil!  Our adversary may be one who has manufactured vicious rumors about us. But, there is power in the unity and support that we receive from friends.
 
There is no promise of tomorrow and exactly what it will bring, but chances are good that some of those days will be times of adversity.  The secret to your success is having good friends. 
 
by George Slover