Thought for the week

Brief Encounters

Zacchaeus

Bible reading:

Luke 19:1-10

Ben’s talk is available here

Questions

1. Why do you think Zacchaeus chose to climb a tree to see Jesus, despite his status.  What does this reveal?
2. Reflect on a time in your life when you experienced a profound encounter with Jesus. How did it affect your perspective and actions?
3. Discuss the concept of repentance as portrayed in Zacchaeus’ story. How does genuine repentance lead to both a change of heart and practical actions in our lives?
4. Consider the role of acceptance and grace in Jesus’s interaction with Zacchaeus. How can we apply this model of acceptance in our relationships with others?
5. Explore the idea of immediate transformation in the context of your faith journey. In what areas have you experienced rapid change, and in what areas are you growing?

Luke 19:1-10

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 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.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”