Today Salvation Has Come

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’ Luke 19:1-10

The challenge of mending and healing is the patience it requires. This is true for me especially. I fight against the present limitations. Like many humans I know, none of us like to be dependent or in need of help. We can be our own worst enemies. Zacchaeus was frustrated with his own limitations despite being wealthy and secure. He thought he had everything until he came face to face with Jesus. Then he understood his own frailty and God loving and generous heart for all. May we all let go of our need for control, so we might see God's love working all around us, despite ourselves.

Creator God, who seeks out the lost

who looks for the stubborn wanderers

you embrace us even as we wriggle and fight

drawing us ever homeward with your love.

We have many blessings and challenges

and you stand with us in the midst of them

reaching out to us in our very messiness

calling us down from our hiding places.

Help us to open our heart anew to you

let us voice our need and let go of shame

make us ready to welcome your salvation

with softened hearts ready always to serve. Amen.