Key Passage: Luke 19:1-10
Additional Scriptures: 2 Samuel 6:11-12, Matthew 9:10-17
The Bible says that we can know the presence of God at all times. This means you can know God's presence in your home. It is not the size of your home that matters but the state of your mind and heart. No matter what space you are living in or who you are with, when you have the presence of God with you in your home, you don’t need to worry.
Jesus brought healing and hope when he visited the sick, the suffering and those who were regarded as sinners in their homes. Everything changes when the Presence of God determines the atmosphere of your home. With God’s help you can come through this crisis as a person whose life and relationships are in a much better place than ever before. Just like the incredible transformation which took place when Jesus spent time with Zacchaeus in his home, so Jesus can change your heart and your home.
1. Jesus wanted to go to the home of Zacchaeus
2. Jesus was welcomed to the home of Zacchaeus
3. Jesus worked a great miracle of change in the home of Zacchaeus
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Do you believe that no matter your present circumstances, the presence of God can be with you at all times? Do you know that God sees and loves you, even if you feel alone and forgotten by others? God was with Joseph when he was in prison and He prepared Nelson Mandela to be President even as he was confined to a small cell on Robben Island. Zacchaeus thought he was just a face in the crowd, but he quickly discovered that Jesus not only saw him but also knew him by name. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” God not only knows you but He also loves you and has a unique plan for your life. Jesus wants to be at the centre of your life and home and to fill your home with His presence. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, so we need to make sure we have God in our lives now. Just as there was an urgency about the need for Zacchaeus to open his heart and home to Jesus, so we need to say sorry for our sins and put everything right in our relationship with God and with one another, especially in our homes. Decide to do this today: do not delay!
Is the presence of God welcome in your home? Everyone has a choice of who and what you welcome into your home. Whilst the religious people resisted and criticised Jesus, the non-religious welcomed Him because they recognised that He was for them, not against them. Do you welcome negative people and influences or positive people? Do you welcome God’s word or do you just welcome soap operas and so called reality shows? Do you pray and welcome the Spirit of God in your home or the spirit of the world and its decaying culture? Today and every day pray and welcome the Holy Spirit to your home.
Do you believe that Jesus can work a great miracle of change in your home and the homes of others? When the Ark of God, which carried the presence of God, stayed in the home of a man called Obed Edom, 2 Samuel 6:11-12 says “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” The same thing can happen for you if you make a priority of having the presence of God in your home. Equally, Jesus knew that salvation came to the home of Zacchaeus because he had a change of heart and behaviour: from self-centredness and taking, to giving generously; from cheating others to paying back. Despite all his position and possessions, Zacchaeus was searching for more, and he found all he needed in Jesus. When you decide to welcome and follow Jesus, you will be different and your family will change no matter how many problems you may have. Today, what changes are needed in your heart and home? Do you need to be more patient and kind? To speak more positively? Do you need to be more gentle with your kids, your husband, your wife, your parents? Do you need to need to ask for forgiveness and show forgiveness? Do you need to show more and know more of the unconditional love of Jesus? Whilst we are all spending more time in our homes, ask God to see His love break out in your home. Realise that Jesus wants to come to each and every heart and home. Welcome Him in every part of your home and make Jesus the centre of your home and the foundation of your family. Be changed by a daily encounter with Jesus.
