Jesus met Zacchaeus on the street, he was an outcast in Jewish Society. The Lord presented me with a question: “What does it mean today to “Shake the dust off your feet?”
“If anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that town.” Matthew 10: 8
Zacchaeus the chief Tax Collector was an outcast in Jewish society because he collaborated with the Romans collecting taxes for them and he took advantage of his position by fraudulently adding sums of money to their tax bills for himself; and under law he was unclean by associating with Gentiles.
Zacchaeus met Jesus on the street
Jesus and his disciples were passing through Jericho, the crowds had gathered along the street. Zacchaeus climbed a tree so he could see Jesus above the crowd. He wanted to catch a glimpse of this man he heard about. A man who healed people in the synagogue on the sabbath day, who ignored and argued with the Pharisees’ over their interpretation of the law; that must have appealed to Zacchaeus, but he also, must have heard that many believed he was the Saviour, the Christ. Jesus saw him and spoke to him, asking if he could have tea at his house.
Zacchaeus hadn’t time to prepare for his guest, Jesus caught him unawares.
This proved to be a life-changing moment for him, as a result of their meeting Zacchaeus repented publicly by saying that he would give half of his wealth to the poor and pay back to those who he had defrauded under law fourfold. Jesus rejoiced saying, “Salvation had come to this house . . . . for the Son of man came to seek and save the lost.”’ Luke 19: 1-10 RSV Bible.
Following on from this account concerning Zacchaeus in verse 11 “Jesus proceeded to tell them a parable because he was near to Jerusalem and because they supposed that the Kingdom of God was to appear immediately.” Luke 19: 11.
In Jesus’ day there was a sense of urgency for people to ’repent’ in preparation for the Messiah’s heavenly kingdom becoming a reality.
He spoke of a nobleman who went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then to return. Jesus referred to himself as the nobleman, he came to receive the kingdom of Israel.
The nobleman left the kingdom, but Jesus didn’t include in the parable why he left the kingdom, but we know that it was to enable Jesus to reign over the hearts of his people through faith in him.
The battle for the Kingdom of God’s rule over the hearts of mankind took place in his suffering, his death on the cross and his resurrection giving him the victory over death that the devil had previously held the power over.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 5 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.” Hebrews 2: 14, 15.
Jesus expected to return within their life-time. Mark 8: 38. 9: 1 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
The disciples hoped he would return they were preparing, watching for his return, Jesus in the parable gave them the means and opportunity to grow his kingdom until he returned, on his return they would be accountable to him. Luke 19: 12-27. The Messiah’s Secret by Dorothy Newton
In our present day the lost are all who do not know God in a personal way and the way to find God is through faith in Jesus.
“Dust” I interpret as being unbelief.
In Mark and Luke’s gospels they directed these words to the individual person who rejected their message ‘shake off the dust as a testimony against them.’ I engage with many today on the street who openly say that they do not believe; for many it comes from their life experiences.
I personally do not ‘shake off the dust’ as a testimony against anybody, I believe that the Lord will give them further opportunities to make a decision for Christ or not, during their life-time.
Today’s message not judging anybody
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” The Gospel message – to reconcile all humanity to our Father God through faith: in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and to come to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mark 16: 15.
God’s love reaching out as a blessing, not judging anybody. I can look back to a time when I questioned my faith and I believe after working through those questions my faith was strengthened.
John was caught unawares
Interviews were taking place for joining the Scargill Community. We were there on holiday. I was chatting to John a young man who had come for an interview, in my conversation with him, he shared with me how his grandmother had spoken to him about Jesus, but at that time he didn’t want to know. But God used his grandmother’s Bible speaking to him through it. John said that taking drugs was all he lived for and his life was in a mess. That day he was in his room when he picked up his grandmother’s Bible, it fell open and he read the words, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” He said, “It was like someone breaking down the door of his bedroom, releasing him into freedom.” Matthew 10: 39
John went on to say that as a result of his meeting with Jesus he made a cross from part of their garden fence and he carried it from Liverpool to London, camping on the way. When people asked him on the street why he was carrying a cross? He told them what Jesus had done for him.
John’s grandmother didn’t shake off the dust after John refused her message about Jesus, she didn’t give up praying for him and God blessed them both, especially John.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you, for Jesus’ he has made it possible for those farthest away from God, to come to know him, there is nothing can separate us from the love of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We pray that a tear drop of faith will bring freedom to the heart of those who find, they feel helpless and maybe have come to the end of themselves. Lord, may they turn to you and find Jesus, their friend and redeemer. In Jesus’ name. Amen