A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                     NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART V

"I, Jesus, came to Jericho today... I went there at my Father's direction... When I walked the road into the town I stopped underneath a sycamore-fig tree.... As I looked up, I spotted a man.... I spoke to the man... I told him to come down for I wanted to spend time with him....I know who he is.... The crowd may think they know him.... But they do not really know him..... They do not know that he is lonely.... That he longs for friendship.... I have given him that today.... And I have given him so much more.... I have given him forgiveness.... His heart has now changed.... And that will show in his actions.... No doubt, his neighbours and others who know him will begin to see him in a different light... Very soon he will have many friends.....They will begin to recognise his generosity.... Especially, the poor will love him for his kindness.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Zacchaeus' changed heart after Jesus' visit to his home.....

 

                     ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                               NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART V     

Jesus does know that Zacchaeus is a sinner. However, He knows as well that His willingness to give special attention to Zacchaeus will turn Zacchaeus into a changed man as you can read in Luke 19:8

But Zachaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possession to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

Zacchaeus is very grateful to the Lord and shows that by telling the Lord that from now on he will share his wealth with the less fortunate and repay those he has taken money from.

 

 

                             A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART IV

"I, Zacchaeus, live in Jericho.... I am a lonely tax collector... But today I am not lonely.... A miracle happened today... I was not prepared for that miracle.... This morning I went out and noticed a crowd.... The people told me Jesus is coming to Jericho... I wanted to see Him... So I climbed into the nearest sycamore-fig tree.... When Jesus came near my tree He did the unthinkable.... He stopped under my tree... He did not only stop.... He spoke to me.... He told me to come down because He wanted to visit my home.... No one ever wants to visit my home.... But Jesus wanted to come to my home!!.... I do know that everyone saw Jesus stopping at my tree and calling out to  me.... They then saw me walking to my home with Jesus.... I heard them talking among themselves... I could not hear what they said....But I could guess.... They must be shocked that Jesus was willing to go to my home with me.... Frankly, I cannot blame them for I am shocked myself.... I know that in their eyes I am a sinner... And so I am.... Nevertheless Jesus wanted to come to my home... What a miracle.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the crowd could not understand that Jesus wanted to visit Zacchaeus....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART IV

But what about the other people who see Jesus going home with Zacchaeus? Are they glad too for  Zacchaeus that the Lord has chosen his home to have a meal in? They all know Zacchaeus well for they have had to pay taxes to him and they all know that tax collectors, including Zacchaeus, are notorious cheaters. So what is their reaction? Let's read Luke 19:7 to find out

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be a guest of a "sinner."

The people are obviously not pleased that Jesus has chosen to stay with Zacchaeus. No doubt, each considers himself a better choice for Jesus to stay with than Zacchaeus. They may even wonder about Jesus for, surely, He must know that Zacchaeus is such a great sinner, or does He...?

 

                           A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                 NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART III 

"I, Zacchaeus, live in Jericho.... I am a wealthy but lonely tax collector... I have no friends here in Jericho.... And I cannot blame the people.... For who wants to be friends with a tax collector.... Moreover, no one would believe me if I told them I am lonely... They must all think that I am very happy because I live in the best home in town.... But they do not know how unhappy I am because no one ever comes to visit me.... This morning as I went out I noticed a large group of people,,,, I asked them if a dignitary was coming to visit our town.... They told me that Jesus was on His way to the town.... They told me as well that He had just healed the blind beggar who always sits at the side of the road.... I wanted to see Jesus... But I am very short.... And I knew that the people would not let me go to the front of the crowd to see Jesus... I cannot blame them for I have cheated them out of their money... However, I was still desperate to see Jesus.... He did not have to see me.... It was enough for me to see Him.... Anyway Jesus is a holy Person... And I am an unholy person... So I am not good enough for Him to see me.... As I looked around I saw a sycamore-fig tree... I decided to climb into it.... It would be perfect for me to see Jesus.... So I did.... I saw Jesus coming my way... He then did something I never expected Him to do.... He stopped right under my tree....And He looked up.... Not only did He look up.... He called out to me... And He told me to come down....The reason He wanted me to come down is because He wants to visit my home.... Can you imagine.... Jesus wants to come to my home!!".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about Zacchaeus' unexpected Guest....

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART III

Jesus does not just stop at the sycamore-fig tree where Zacchaeus has climbed in but He addresses Zacchaeus and invites Himself to Zacchaeus' home for He knows that will bring joy to Zacchaeus' heart as you can read in Luke 19:6

So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly.

Zacchaues is overjoyed that Jesus has stopped at the tree he has climbed in and takes Him back to his home.

 

                         A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                 NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART II 

"I, Zacchaeus, live in Jericho... I am a wealthy tax collector... All tax collectors tend to be wealthy.... We are being accused of getting our money in a deceptive way... Perhaps there is some truth to it.... But it is hard to change a system.... I have learned that money cannot buy friends.... So I am a very lonely person.... Will that ever change?.... I am not hopeful.... This morning I went out to run some errands... I noticed a crowd... I asked them why they had gathered.... They told me that Jesus is coming.... I have heard of Him... I have heard that He heals people and delivers people from demonic spirits... The people told me as well that Jesus had healed the blind man who sits on the road just outside Jericho... I know who he is... He is a nobody... But Jesus stopped for him to heal him!!... I decided I wanted to see Jesus.... But I am short.... Everyone is taller than I am.... That means I would never be able to see Jesus if I remained part of the crowd....I looked around... I spotted a good-sized tree.... It was a sycamore-fig tree.... I decided to climb into it.... I could hear Jesus getting closer to the tree... I then realised He stopped underneath my tree.... Was He perhaps tired?... Or a little disoriented and needed to get his bearing?... No, He did not look around.... He looked up!!... He looked into my eyes... And He then spoke to me.... Can you imagine?... Jesus spoke to me.... And He called me by my name.... Jesus knew my name!.... And He told me to come down.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus stops at the tree Zacchaeus has climbed into....

                 ATTACHMENT S PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                      NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART II

The man God has chosen for Jesus to minister to that day in Jericho is Zacchaeus. Like the blind man, Zacchaeus has heard of Jesus and he too will do what he can to see Jesus. His problem is not that he is blind but that he is short, so he decides to climb into a tree enabling him to have a view of Jesus anyway. What is Jesus going to do about this short man Zacchaeus? Will the fact that he is too short to see Jesus hinder him from meeting Jesus? Let's read Luke 19:5 to find out

When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."

Jesus, being aware what Zacchaeus has done to see Him, stops at the right sycamore-fig tree.

 

 

                           A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                  NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART I

"I, Zacchaeus, live in Jericho... I am a tax collector by profession.... My profession has made me very wealthy....I live, therefore, a very comfortable life.... But my riches has not made me happy.... For I do not have any friends... No one wants to speak with me.... And no one wants to come to my home... I have found out that money cannot buy friends.... But I do not know how I can make friends.... Today as I was out and about I heard that this Man Jesus is on His way to my town.... I know of Jesus.... I know that He is very kind and caring.... I wonder if He would be kind and caring to me... I doubt it very much.... After all, no one else is kind and caring to me.... And I cannot blame them for not liking me since I am a tax collected and no tax collector is liked.... But I still wanted to see Jesus.... And I am not tall.... In fact I am short.... That meant I would never be able to see Jesus as long as I stayed among the people.... What was I to do?.... I then had a great idea.... I would climb into a tree.... That way I would definitely be able to see Jesus... So I hurried along and then I saw a tree that would be perfect for me to climb into... It is a sycamore-fig tree.... I am now safely hidden in the tree.... No one can see me because of the leaves.... But I will be able to see Jesus when He passes by.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus has entered Jericho where a tax collector Zacchaeus lives....

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                      NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART I

The healing of the blind man takes place while Jesus is still on His way to Jericho, He has not yet reached Jericho. Once He enters Jericho God has someone else for Him to minister to as you can read in Luke 19:1-2

Jesus entered Jericho, and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.

As Jesus walks on the road He will pass a sycamore-fig tree. However, it is not any sycamore-fig tree, it is a sycamore-fig tree with someone in it.

                             A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                     NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION C PART V

"I, the blind beggar from Jericho, am no longer blind.... I can now see!!... Jesus has healed me.... Praise God.... The moment I told Jesus I wanted to see He healed me..... He told me my faith has healed me.... The moment He spoke these words I could see....I looked around.... I saw Jesus smiling at me.... I am so happy!!... And I am so thankful to God!!.... Jesus then began to walk towards the town.... I followed Him into town..... I jumped more than I walked while following Jesus.... And I kept on praising God.... The people heard me praising God.... They realised, of course, that I am no longer blind.... They then knew that Jesus had answered my request to see.... They then too began to praise God... It is now evening.... Time to go to sleep... So much has happened today.... This morning I was still blind.... But tonight I can see!!... And I have no longer to be taken to the roadside to beg..... That old life is past and a new life has begun.... Jesus has done that for me... He can and will do that not just for me but for anyone who asks Him.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that you too can receive Jesus' ministry just as the blind beggar from Jericho did....

                       ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION C PART V

Jesus restores the blind man's sight in answer to the man's words. The man's response to his healing can be found in Luke 18:43

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

What else can the man do, once he has received his healing but praise God? And the people who are privileged to have witnessed the miracle join him in praising God. Perhaps, like this man, you too are blind but your blindness is a spiritual blindness. And people have tried to help you by being kind to you but their help has not been sufficient because you still feel desperate for something beyond what they can give you. Like the blind man, you too need Jesus to minister to you so you can receive your spiritual sight by by believing that Jesus died on the Cross for your sins so you can become a child of God. And just as the blind man began to praise God once he could see, so you too will begin to praise the Lord when you receive His forgiveness.

                               A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                      NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION C PART IV 

"I, the blind beggar from Jericho, sat at my usual spot at the roadside... A large crowd had gathered... They told me Jesus of Nazareth was about to pass by... I knew I had to act.... So I shouted and shouted until someone in the crowed took me to Jesus..... Then Jesus spoke to me.... He asked me a question.... He asked me what I wanted Him to do for me.... How amazing was that..... He treated me as a person.....   Someone with desires.... Most people do not treat me as a person.... They treat me as a nobody..... After all, I cannot do anything for myself since I am blind....But not Jesus.... Jesus sees me as a person worthy to have a relationship with... A person with an opinion worthy to be listened to.... A person worthy to be treated with respect despite being blind.... He sees beyond my blindness.... And He asked me what I would like.... No one does that... Every day I get dressed.... Someone chooses my outfit for me.... They choose my food for me.... They take me to the same spot every day to beg.... I have no choice in any of these matters.... But Jesus asked me what I would like Him to do for me.... I know what I want Him to do for me.... I want for Him to make me well... I want to see... And the first Person I want to see is Jesus.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn how Jesus responds to the request of the blind beggar from Jericho.....

  

                     ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                  NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION C PART IV

Jesus stops and has the blind man brought to Him. Jesus will have instantly realised that the man is blind so we will expect Jesus to just go ahead and heal him. After all, what else will he have called out to Jesus for? But Jesus does not just go ahead and heal him. No, Jesus begins to personally interact with him by asking him a question. And the question Jesus asks him is, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He is, thereby, laying the groundwork for a personal relationship between the man and Him. His blindness will have cut him off from personal relationships with people. Many times people will have passed him by when he sat at the roadside begging but they will have ignored him. And here Jesus starts a conversation with him to let him know that he is a person worthy to be heard, a person with an opinion worthy to be listened to. He is not just a no-body, some blind person who cannot even properly function in society. No, he is precious in God's sight and the reason Jesus is on His way to Jericho is to meet him, this blind person. Moreover, Jesus hears his request, treats it with great respect and acts upon it as you can read in Luke 18:42

Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."

Jesus fulfills the longing of the blind man's heart to see.