The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 19:9,
"Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham."
As Zacchaeus expressed his faith by manifesting it in his decision to give his wealth to the poor and recompense all those he had wronged, Jesus acknowledged the salvation that had come to him. In another place, Jesus told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, John 3:3. This account of Zaccaeus is of one who experienced this second birth, a spiritual birth.
I note that Jesus said "Today" as the time frame of Zacchaeus' salvation. While this may seem a fairly unimportant detail, it catches my attention this morning. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and are born into his kingdom, it takes place at a certain point in time. It was on this very day Luke tells us of, that Zacchaeus was saved. Not the day before and not the following day. This was Zacchaeus' day.
I am reminded that it may be we consider the claims of the gospel over a period of time and it may be that several different people have shared the things of the Lord with us over an extended period of time, but when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, it happens at a point in time. It is a transaction that takes place instantly. Not that we are spiritually mature in an instant - just as we are not born physically mature - but we do become spiritually alive at a point in time, just as we become physically alive at a point in time. Just as we are conceived in our mother's wombs at a certain specific point in time, so when we are born again, it is at a certain specific point in time.
This life we experience is all about the two births. God is building his kingdom and to do so, we are brought into this world physically and then all heaven awaits to see if we will experience the second, spiritual birth. It is obvious that the first birth is required for us to experience this life, and the second birth is required for us to experience eternal life in the next. At times I think of this life as the "birthing room of God." This life is temporary. Its ultimate purpose is to provide a winnowing process where God builds his family from all mankind. Those who embrace him in faith enter into his family, all others will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 20:15-20.
What is fascinating to consider is that the next life will be unending. It will be the life God intends for us, life where true happiness, purposefulness, fulfillment and enjoyment is experienced in a context of complete love and where fairness and rightfulness reigns supreme in God's very presence. This life is only about building God's family. The next will be about living in God's family. This life is temporary. The things of our lives here pass when we do. There is only one event, one possession that we can possibly take into the next life, our family membership that assures us our place in God's kingdom for an eternity.
What happens in an instant will bring what happens eternally.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham."
As Zacchaeus expressed his faith by manifesting it in his decision to give his wealth to the poor and recompense all those he had wronged, Jesus acknowledged the salvation that had come to him. In another place, Jesus told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, John 3:3. This account of Zaccaeus is of one who experienced this second birth, a spiritual birth.
I note that Jesus said "Today" as the time frame of Zacchaeus' salvation. While this may seem a fairly unimportant detail, it catches my attention this morning. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and are born into his kingdom, it takes place at a certain point in time. It was on this very day Luke tells us of, that Zacchaeus was saved. Not the day before and not the following day. This was Zacchaeus' day.
I am reminded that it may be we consider the claims of the gospel over a period of time and it may be that several different people have shared the things of the Lord with us over an extended period of time, but when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, it happens at a point in time. It is a transaction that takes place instantly. Not that we are spiritually mature in an instant - just as we are not born physically mature - but we do become spiritually alive at a point in time, just as we become physically alive at a point in time. Just as we are conceived in our mother's wombs at a certain specific point in time, so when we are born again, it is at a certain specific point in time.
This life we experience is all about the two births. God is building his kingdom and to do so, we are brought into this world physically and then all heaven awaits to see if we will experience the second, spiritual birth. It is obvious that the first birth is required for us to experience this life, and the second birth is required for us to experience eternal life in the next. At times I think of this life as the "birthing room of God." This life is temporary. Its ultimate purpose is to provide a winnowing process where God builds his family from all mankind. Those who embrace him in faith enter into his family, all others will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 20:15-20.
What is fascinating to consider is that the next life will be unending. It will be the life God intends for us, life where true happiness, purposefulness, fulfillment and enjoyment is experienced in a context of complete love and where fairness and rightfulness reigns supreme in God's very presence. This life is only about building God's family. The next will be about living in God's family. This life is temporary. The things of our lives here pass when we do. There is only one event, one possession that we can possibly take into the next life, our family membership that assures us our place in God's kingdom for an eternity.
What happens in an instant will bring what happens eternally.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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