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2024
Day 26 / 26.07.24 / Pastor Joel Tan, Regional Pastor of Victory Family Centre

Family Devotion Day 26: Do you know a Zacchaeus?

Read

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Learn

One day, Jesus was on His way to somewhere very important. But on the way, He stopped when he saw Zacchaeus, a little man with a big job: Chief tax collector. 

Remember we learnt that tax collectors were hated by the Jews because they stole money from the taxes they collected? Zacchaeus was chief! That means he was especially disliked! 

Why would Jesus interrupt His important journey for someone like that? 

In the Bible verse today, we learn why: Saving sinners was Jesus’ priority – the most important thing to Him. 

In the end, Jesus stayed with Zacchaeus and the chief sinner changed his heart. 

Do you know people in your life like Zacchaeus – unpopular because they do things that are not very nice? Will you let someone like that interrupt your life? Will you be friends with them and share with them the Gospel of Jesus?

Here’s how we can be like Jesus:

  1. Make time for someone, even if you are very busy. 
  2. Allow yourself to be interrupted when people truly need you. 
  3. Do not worry about what others think of you when you spend time with unpopular people.

Looking for people who need saving is God’s priority. Will you make it your priority too?

/ Discuss
  • Who are the people in your life who are like Zacchaeus? What is God telling you about them? 
  • How can you make time for people who need encouragement and love? 
  • What are you most worried about when you reach out to people like Zacchaeus? Is it shyness, or worry that the person will not listen to you, or fear that other people will make fun of you? Will you bring those worries to God?
/ Pray
  • Pray for God to help you see unpopular people like He sees them. Ask Him for a heart that is kind and eager to share the Good News with them.  
  • Pray that God will help you to listen carefully and caringly so that you really hear what is troubling them and can help them.
  • Ask God for ideas on how to make time for people and for words to know what to say to them.