When Change Matters

Change can be one of the most uncomfortable things you might experience. It also might be one of the most consistent things you expect. Change isn't always bad, but it's normal to push away the change we know we need to make to feel a little more comfortable and safe. But, is that really what living with Jesus is like? Waiting to change for the sake of comfort?

Luke 19 shares the story of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who climbed a tree to see Jesus walking through the town. Next thing he knew, he was having dinner with Jesus. Zacchaeus walks into the room, hated by his community for working for the enemy and stealing from his people. But, he leaves that room committed to giving away all his possessions to the people he wronged. How could this have happened? What happened during the dinner? Did Jesus tell Zacchaeus anything to change his mind? The story doesn't reveal those answers, but it shows us that Jesus took a curious man who climbed a tree to glimpse the promised messiah to a man convicted in his pursuit of reconciliation and justice. 

There is something more powerful here than the answers to these questions: Jesus' presence. The story shares that Jesus invited himself to dinner, and a couple of sentences later, Zacchaeus changed his life right side up. When you create space for Jesus to shine a light on your life, things look slightly different. The judgment or fear that comes with our actions becomes clear when you hold those things in the presence of the Way, the Truth, and Life of the world. It was Zacchaeus's curiosity about Jesus that started this journey. He learned that Jesus and his decisions could peacefully coexist, and change needed to happen so that he could enjoy the fullness of life with Jesus. 

Dive Deeper

In the presence of Jesus, Zacchaeus realized that he needed to let go of his greed and possessions to make it right with his community. He learned that joy and provision don't come from money but from God. What might you need to let go of in pursuit of a life with Jesus? What might be things you are allowing yourself to get away with? Could it be indulgence? Laziness? Fault finding? Reactivity? What support might you need to let go of that? Who could you lean on to help and pray for you through this journey?