HANGING OUT TOGETHER

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 1/19/10 Gen 47,48; Ps 10; Luke 19

S- Luke 19:4,5: So he (Zacchaeus, a tax-collector) ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.  When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately.  I must stay at your house today."

O- Jesus loved to hang out with the sinners and the tax-collectors!  He insisted that Zacchaeus come down from the tree because he wanted to visit his home and fellowship with him!  The tax-collectors were not a popular crowd; I recently heard that you can think of the Mafia as a modern day parallel.  Jesus was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton (Mt 11:19). Interesting... sure fits the picture of hanging out with the Mafia!

A- In our efforts to be pure and separate from the world, have we missed the lifestyle of Jesus?  What would Jesus do? Read the Gospels and watch His behavior: He would go to where the lost were, love up on them, fellowship, and simply hang out! And what happened?  Without saying a word about their sin, they repented.  His Presence did it all.

P- O Father, may we be like Jesus.  May we fellowship with our nonsaved families and friends, hanging out together, loving up on them.  And may Your Presence in us bring them to repentance so that they may join Your family!