Ordinary Time: Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Zechariah 12:1-10

The prophets remind of us two things. First, God will bring judgment. That is one reality we see there. In our current cultural context, lots of folks like to make the statement that only God can judge them. That is true. But, when we make those statements, we must remember that God will judge us. That judgment is coming. It cannot be denied or pushed back. One day, we will each stand in judgment by God. In the prophets, God gives His people warning after warning. If they did not repent, judgment would come. That same fact holds true for us today.

The second thing we see is that God will always have a remnant that love and serve Him. While judgment was coming against many; we see in this passage that God would save. That those that truly love and serve Him will be saved. God will have a people that are His, based not upon their name or their birth, but upon their obedience to Him.

The question for us then becomes, which group are we a part of? The group that will be condemned in judgement, or the remnant that will be saved. To those that overcome goeth the crown.

New Testament Lesson

Ephesians 1:3-14

We see in this passage that we have much to rejoice. I was just thinking as a I was reflecting upon today's Old Testament passage, man I sound harsh. Those of you that don't know me and only read these daily reflections may think that I'm a cranky fellow. I'm not, except until I have my coffee. This passage is a counter balance to the harshness of the prophet today.

We see that to the ones that are saved, we have a glorious reward, a joyous hope, a divine love, a great salvation. We have much to be thankful for, because God gave His only son to save us. He gave His only son so that we could have life, so that we could live, so that we could be forgiven. Friends, we have much to be thankful for. Today, rejoice. You are His! He loves you! He longs to save you! You can have life!

Gospel Lesson

Luke 19:1-10

We see here the love of God. Zacchaeus, who was a wee little man, was not a good fellow. He was a tax collector, which meant that to his people, he was a traitor, since he worked for Rome. And, not only was he a hated tax collector, but he robbed. He wasn't a nice fellow.

But, then Jesus came into the scene and simply loved Him. He called Him, and he responded. How many other people looked at Zacchaeus and turned up their nose. But, not Jesus. Jesus loved Him. Jesus called Him. And Zacchaeus followed.

How many people have we not lead to the Lord because instead of loving them, we turned up our nose? Friends, God has forgive you and me of lot. Should we not do likewise?