Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
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 down and was happy to welcome him. (Luke 19:5-6, NRSVCE)
Just as He did with Zacchaeus, Jesus wants to stay at your house. Today. Immediately. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Sounds awesome. Sounds like maybe the greatest gift ever.
But you know what’s going to happen next. Jesus isn’t necessarily going to draw attention to how messy the bathroom is or that there’s laundry in the hamper or that the kitchen counter and cupboards need a thorough cleaning. But you know it. He knows it. Are you really going to comfortable letting Him into the disorder? And what if He wants to stay for more than a cup of coffee or a beer? Is it His intention to stay… forever? Won’t that be stressful?
Today’s first reading from Revelation 3, the Lord’s message to the church in Sardis, and Luke’s story of Jesus and Zacchaeus the tax collector pair so beautifully… and give us hope. In Revelation, the Lord reminds those in Sardis and by extension us to be watchful of our sins and to repent. We are reminded that if we have ears, we ought to hear… and that’s regardless of whether the message is uncomfortable.
Just as He did with Zacchaeus, Jesus wants to stay at your house. Today. Immediately.
What’s your answer?
