 Last week in Luke 18, Jesus told us that it easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This week Jesus tell us a story of a rich man being saved. Jesus is in Jericho and the crowds are massive as everyone wants to see what Jesus will do next. Perched in the branches of a sycamore tree a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus, is craning his neck to get a better look at Jesus, when Jesus surprises him by calling him out of the tree and inviting himself over to stay. Zacchaeus responds with joy, and in that one moment his life is changed. The crowds can only grumble because instead of the required spectacle Jesus has chosen to hang out with the worst sinner in town. The Son of Man hasn’t come to entertain the crowds, rather he has come to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10 In response to Jesus unconditional love, Zacchaeus is able to do what the rich young ruler last week found so hard. Zacchaeus gives up his wealth, paying back four times what he has cheated others out of, and giving money to the poor. Just like Zacchaeus , Jesus longs to be a part of our lives also. No matter how unworthy we, or others may judge us, Jesus wants to be a part of our lives. No matter how hard we might try to hide, or unlikely it may seem Jesus wants to come into our homes and our lives as well. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus in with joy and his life was changed. How will you respond? What sort of welcome will you give him? Till next time. Andrew  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ Luke 18:17 Jesus calls us to trust him with the faith of a child. He couldn't really have stated it any more plainly than he does in our Gospel reading for today. Sadly though, as we are so often prone to doing, one of the adults has to go and try to make belonging to the kingdom of God harder than it needs to be.
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18 asks a wealthy, self made young man. Jesus could have pointed out that he has just stated it clearly in the previous verses. Instead he asks the young man to remember the commandments. Relieved, our rich young friend is able to boast that he has been good at keeping these all his life. To his dismay, Jesus points out that he still lacks one thing. “Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22. What Jesus is asking of his rich young friend is that he should put into practice what he has already stated in verse 17, that is to trust him with the accepting and uncomplicated faith of a child. Just like the rich young ruler, all too often, we too make the mistake of making the gift of eternal life something that we have to earn. Perhaps it’s because deep down we all really believe that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The good news is that although not much may be free, eternal life is. Jesus has paid the price that we might freely receive it. All that is required of us is that we believe, and with the faith of a child put our trust in Jesus. It really is that simple, otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have said so. Till next time. Andrew Download our latest pew sheet  In our Gospel reading this week the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus replies, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.“ Luke 17:5-6 The disciples think they need more. Jesus answer is that they have enough! On its own nothing will happen to the mustard seed unless it is planted and watered under in the ground. Only then can it grow and develop and reach it’s full potential. So it is with the gift of faith. It is never enough just to have faith we have to be willing to use it. Jesus wants us to know that using our faith is the key, otherwise it will never develop in our lives to its full potential. We use our faith every time we entrust our selves to Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we seek him out in prayer or through reading God’s word we are putting our faith into action. So if more faith is what your heart desires, the answer is easy. Use the faith you have, and when you do, God who is faithful, will not let you down. Till next time. Andrew |
Rev. Andrew SmithVicar of Light in the Hills |