DAY 35 – OCT 20
And 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 and came down and received him joyfully.
Luke 19:5-6
Jesus was often scolded by the religious leaders for being a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19). Our Lord never wavered in his devotion to reach the lost (Matthew 10:5-6) and spoke of rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repented (Luke 15:7). While we are all sinners, we have the task as redeemed children of God to reach the lost sheep around us. If this seems daunting, why not start by grabbing a meal with someone? A simple choice like this may affect someone’s eternity. Jesus set an example by eating with the lost. Maybe we can do the same and spread the gospel by any means possible.
We Pray: Heavenly Father, it is all too easy for us to think of the mission field as “way over there” in a far-away land. Open our eyes to fields ripe for harvest all around us (John 4:35) so we can reach the lost right here in the Gainesville community. A simple act of compassion may mean everything to someone seeking you. Holy Spirit, empower and embolden us to see the world as You see it, and every person as someone You were willing to die for. Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Amen.