Scripture Text (NRSV)
19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it.
19:2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.
19:3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not,
because he was short in stature.
19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to
pass that way.
19:5 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."
19:6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.
19:7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one
who is a sinner."
19:8 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."
19:9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he
too is a son of Abraham.
19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."
Comments:
Thanks to all who contributed so many good ideas for All Saints Day. I appreciated them
all. I also appreciated the great dialog last week.
This week, it occurred to me when reading this passage that Zacchaeus, was a seeker.
Don't know where that is going yet. Sunday night, NC-Wi.
Craddock once told us the reference to Zach being a short guy actually in reference to
Jesus. That being Jesus was so short that Zach had to climb the tree to see him. So much
for the song...
Revpump in Denver
The blind beggar calls out to Jesus in the events just before Zacchaeus encounters
Jesus. Both cannot see Jesus, one because of eyes the other because of size. How many ways
do we put off seeing Jesus for what he is? L.F. in C.A.
I often look for the place of discomfort in the stories about Jesus. In this text, you
will notice that the people "grumbled." (The same Greek word as in the Parable
of the Vineyard. The early workers "grumbled" when the late pickers were paid
the same wage.) Wouldn't we grumble if Jesus passed us by and went to the home of the
enemy of the people? If I were in the crowd, I would certainly question the kind of
movement Jesus was leading. It is important that as a tax collector, Zaccheaus helped keep
his own people (the Jews) under the oppression of the Romans. Why not go to the home of
the righteous, well-deserving believers? What are the implications for our ministry? Do we
work with people who are "just like us" or do we go where transformation is
needed the most? RCC Quebec
How do our churches grow? By us pastors being personal chaplains to our
constituents.... or by beating a path to the fringe/ the seekers/ the one-time visitors?
Blessed be the congregations (layfolks) who understand that.
How do our churches grow? By folks talking w/ their friends at coffee time... or going
and finding out about the new folks?... and not necessarily the young families.
How do our churches grow? By having bulletins that use words like "Doxology"
and "chancel" and "vestry"... or using every day accessible language.
How do our churches grow? By thinking that "church" is contained w/i the
building... or taking "church" with us into others' homes.
Pax, Pam
I'm beginning to hang pieces of a sermon on the hook of Zack facing his past, himself,
etc., and dealing with it in substantive ways. In varying degrees,we are all prone to
ignore matters that merit serious conversation and honesty. Neglecting them effectively
precludes some of God's restorative work among and within us. Anyone privy to good stories
about folks facing thier realities and thereby facing God? Joe in Zion.
Joe in Zion: How about 12-step groups?
Step #1: We admitted we were powerless over ___ (food, alcohol, drugs), Step #2) Came
to believe that a power higher than ourselves (can't remember the rest) and Step #3)
Turned our lives over to God as we understood Him.
Don't quote me on the exact steps (other than #1) or on that wording, but it's like
that. The Alcoholics Anonymous Book should be readily available in the reference or
self-help section of any library. Or, maybe you can do what I've done - attend a couple of
open AA meetings.
Saly in GA
Right on Pam:
Until our churches figure out what they have to do they will never grow. It's easy to
look down on someone like Zacchaeus, he's rich, he's dishonest or whatever than it is to
welcome someone who is different from us into our fellowship.
While churhc people want youth, they really are unprepared to accept them.
Just some thought on a Tuesday monring.
Paula in sunny FL
Last week I thought of a comparison between Saul the Pharisee and the tax collectors
that Jesus encountered, Levi, Zacchaeus and the ones he ate with. This came to me in the
middle of preaching, but I didn't use the illustration because it didn't fit where I was
going . Perhaps I should have and followed that thought- who knows it might've been
divine.
Deke in Texas -- Pace e Bene
I'm thinking of using this gospel reading but applying it to our celebration of All
Saints. How about "St. Zacchaeus"? And what makes him saintly, holy? Well, as
always--as with Holy Communion, (the) ~ Bible, ~ Ground, etc.--it has come in contact with
God. Or better, God has come in contact with it. Z is a saint because, first and foremost,
Jesus sought him. Salvation comes "today", semayron, as in
seminal/seminary/seedbed: and Z immediately--and officially unsolicited, cf. the Rich man
earlier in Luke)--Z bears fruit, offering to care for folks in the here and now. Peter in
WI
Paula- hard to look down on Z. when he is up a tree. :-) Nancy-Wi
One of the most basic of all human needs is that of acceptance...to be accepted by ones
peers. Here's a man who was a "runt," and who may have been teased all his
life...may have felt no real acceptance...may have over compensated by being ruthless.
Perhaps he felt "needed" by the Romans, who would have appreciated his abilities
to collect from people - his "own" people - the ones who had laughed at him. For
what ever reason, he had excelled at collecting taxes to the point he was chief tax
collector. That had sufficed for awhile..."Who's laughing now?!" he said to
himself. But after a time, that old hunger for acceptance...real acceptance came back. He
heard through the grapevine about this man, Jesus, who accepted Levi, a tax collector, and
who ate with sinners. Could this be? The other "religious" folks would have
nothing to do with him...hated and despised him...would never have broken bread with him
for fear of becoming unclean themselves. Yet this man... This man called me by name. The
most beautiful sound in the world, is Jesus calling my name, and declaring that he wants
to come to my house and hang out with me! What a transforming power that is! Still
rambling over this. NBC Preacher
It is early in the week I'm still thinking about last weeks couple praying in the
temple and started working on the "is it possibles" Is it possible that even
though Jesus made up last week's parable, that Zacchaeus had actually been praying in the
temple as described. Is it possible that Jesus knew what was in Zacchaeus' heart Is it
possible that Jesus was actually looking for him. Is it possible that this story is about
answered prayer. Is it possible that these two lections coming back to back is suppose to
lead me to that conclusion? I'm not sure where I'm going with all this and you all will
probably change my mind as I read through your thoughts, but it is a place to start on
tuesday morning. clw in co
Although I am still musing over the connection between the watchtower in the OT lesson
and the tree in the NT, I am hooked on the final verse with the working title "Did
Jesus Come for You?" The Pharasee of last week and the grumblers of this week would
answer,"Not really". The two tax collectors answer would be, "Yes,
Indeed". Truth is he came for them all, but their personal response was needed for it
to make a difference in their status before God. How would you answer that question?
jrbnrnc
NBC Preacher Your thoughts really struck a chord. When I was in High school I went to
the teen culb one Saturday nite. I asked this attractive young lady to dance and she was a
great dancer and I thought I need to get to know her. After the dance my friends told me
not to dance with her because none of the good girls would dance with me if I did. I did
anyway and sure enough the so called Good Girld wouldn't. Since the in groop rejected her
she turned to others and to make a long story short wound up a prostitute and over dosed
on drugs in the French Quarter in New Orleans. How different she might have turned out if
one of those good girls had made friends with her and introduced her to Jesus. Harold in
Alabama sorry to take so much time.
Harold in Alabame,
Remember that the "prostitutes and tax collectors" according to words
attributed to Jesus, would enter the Kingdom before the disciples. My guess is the
prostitute knew much more clearly about sacrifice than any of us. She shared a similar
fate as our Lord. There is a book about understanding the sex industry and the
comodification of women and children called "Casting Stones" by susan
Thistletwaite and Rita N. Brock, that will truly enlighten any who want to understand and
be an agent in changing this atrocity. BB in IL
William Bausch in his book "Telling Stories, Compelling Stories" says that
Zacchaeus only said "if I have defrauded any...." He may not have done anything
wrong. He might only be the victim of the communities wrong assessment of him. So, Bausch
says, Jesus may not so much have forgiven him as vindicated him. People misjudged
Zacchaeus. Jesus is saying: "You are really not what they say you are. You're all
right in my book. I'll dine with you." This raises an interesting possibility. Who
are people who have been misjudged, and when are times when we have misjudged? There is a
phase called "Contempt, prior to investigation." People had contempt on
Zacchaeus until he was investigated. Brent in Pincher
What would motivate a person to participate in the oppression of his or her own people?
Was Zac just a greedy little bugger, bearing a stiking resemblence to Danny DeVito, who
had fallen upon the ultimate money-making scam? Or was he the guy who, as a kid, was
always at the receiving end of his peer's abuse; and this was his plan for revenge? Did
revenge satisfy? Did it make up for his suffering? Did it put him on equal footing with
his peers, now that they are all grown up? If yes, then why was he so desperate to see
Jesus? Pastor Andy
Interesting note from the Holeman Bible Dictionary: The name Zacchaeus is the greek
form of the the Hebrew name meaning...
Innocent.
Stirs the pot, don' it? Pastor Andy again
BB- It is a great book, I learned a lot and everytime I read it I learn more. Perhaps
the best lesson is to rememeber there are many kinds of prositution, including money,
gambling, Sorry off thread, but I do miss sharing books with others. nancy-wi
A colleague suggested that we preach this sermon from the top of a step ladder--to see
things from Z's perspective. Sharon in Bethlehem
To Sally in Ga.- I continue like many on here to hold your in prayer along with your
Dad. I haven't seen you post this week but you know we are here praying foryou. May God be
your strength and may his presence be of great comfort. Nancy-Wi
Zacchaeus was a man small in size, but what if he was like other who come to church
just to see what is going on. And while there they are asked to give their life to Christ.
Will they let Him in? Will they take Him home with them? Salvation came to Zacchaeus on
that day, and he let Him in. Zacchaeus could have turned Jesus down and said that he had
other things to do. Just a though. LS in NC
Just came from Bible study on Z. We spoke about point that some of you have made: that
story is really about the grumbling crowd's misperception of Z. Those in my Bible study
really felt this was something new to them. Sharon in Bethlehem
I met a really nice lady the other day who is a collection agent. People don't pay
their bills. She gets to phone them once, because most people who don't pay their bills
have "call display." Once she calls, they never answer again. In one call she
has to convince them to pay up. Maybe Zacchaeus was a nice guy. Maybe all the people in
town owed money and had call display. I think this is an illustration waiting for a point.
Brent in Pincher
salvation came not only to Zach but to his "whole house". for me this is
about a transformation of zach's being and one when person in a family system changes, the
whole system changes, so therefore salvation (being saved, transformed, changed) came to
his whole household. of course, change brings stress... no doubt his whole household had
to "adjust" to the new way things were.
To Brent: I like what Bausch is trying to do--but Zacchaeus is still a tax collector
for the Romans and an enemy of the people, God's people. Jesus goes to the heart of
oppression and initiates transformation there. I believe that to climb that tree took
nothing less than "a radical decision for God...a personal radical decision for
God." (Hans Kung) "Our choice is clear...either God and God's reign or the world
and its reign. Nothing must prevent us from making this radical decision between God or
the world. Nothing." (Kung) Zacchaeus climbed that tree because he knew it was time
for a change. (time=kairos moment, not chronos) I am very thanksful for Pastor Andy's
s about Zacchaeus as "a greedy little man" and his plans for revenge. May
I use this? (In the Canadian context, we might think of "The Apprenticeship of Duddy
Kravitz" by Mordecai Richler. Similar theme about the ultimate scam to get money in
order to meet the dream of buying land. RCC in Quebec
To RCC in Quebec: I like what you thinking. This passage seems to say Zacchaeus was a
troubled, "lost", person and Jesus loved him into transformation, when others
rejected him into "stuckness." I want to quote what I just read from Douglas
Hall's book "Why Christian." He says: "God is not interested in outward
acts of personal moral uprightness but in the motives for our allegedly good behavior and
- in a word - our capacity to love others: which means what it says, to love them, not
merely condescend to them; and to love them, rather than just loving ourselves for seeming
to love them!" I think of difficult people in my life and how I put up with them, or
ignore them, or write them off. I would enjoy being more secure so I could accept them and
befriend them and seek the best in both of us. When does this come from health and when
does it not? Brent in Pincher
Sharon- The ladder tripped my imagination. I am only going a couple of steps up. When
one is up a tree, you can look down on a crowd. It looks different. I wonder if Z. could
see the separate groups waiting for jesus. The pharisees, the samaritians, the rich and
the very poor, the ones with illness. Does anyone think that these division would have
happened? nancy-Wi
I just got a call from the local "Churches United for the Homeless"... I was
asked to speak at the Thanksgiving service there... I'll be asking for advice in the weeks
ahead... I agreed, then realized I normally preach to the "upper middle class"
folks who serve the poor... but not many in my congregation no the hunger of being
homeless first hand. Open to any and all imput...
thanks for the insights this week as always,
pulpitt in ND
Pam reminded me that our culture often has images that help us retell that old old
story that we?ve loved so long...
There is that new movie from Hollywood... ?Shallow HAL? regarding the inner beauty
rather than outer beauty only... Gwenith Paltro... (I'm sure I butchered her name)?fitting
in? I have a pastor friend that had surgery? stomach was stapled?he lost a couple 100 lbs.
He?s probably been discriminated against by the church because of his weight? . Some say,
the movie ?Shallow HAL? makes heavy people look bad? however the actress that stars as the
overweight Gweneth sees it as a story about her inner beauty.
I?m wondering if Zach has also been judged by others for what?s on the outside? tax
collectors were despised as much then as now. Zach seems to find the inner beauty that
Christ saw as he jumps down from the tree and is told that Christ is coming to his house?
Christ sees the inner beauty in each of us each time we are lifted to a higher place?
bending the branch,
pulpitt in ND
Sure, I tried to be smart and use my word processer to catch my typos... then my quotes
and appostrophes turn to ?... sorry about that...
pulpitt in ND
Thanks a lot Andy!
I was just about finished eating when you "stirred the pot"... now I have to
make a new "meal"... I hate that when that happens...
Innocent...
yep, that's me,
pulpitt in ND ;?)
Like Peter in Wisconsin I too am linking the Zaccheus story with All Saints Day. My
sermon title is "The Making of a Saint". I'm starting by telling folks how I
much I like the way God uses unlikely, sinful folks like Moses, Mary, David, Paul and
Zaccheus to accomplish God's loving purposes. Their stories give me hope that God can work
through me.
Then I'm going to retell Zaccheus' story followed by RCC from Quebec's shared quote
from Kung who calls us to "a radical decision for God...a personal radical decision
for God." You see saints are just ordinary sinful folks like you and I who have found
the will to open our hearts to the transforming power of God's love. Then we've put that
love to work in their lives in our own very unique, imperfect and loving ways.
This week we've had two funerals for two wonderful saints in our community. The first
was Cliff who was 82 years old. Cliff carried golden dollar coins everywhere he went and
gave them to young and old alike along with gracious words of thanksiving for who you are
and words of encouragement to be the best you can be. The second was Mary Lou who was 75.
Mary Lou had cancer surgery in 1995. While she was in the hospital and recovering she
really appreciated the many cards she received. After her recovery she determined that she
would start a card ministry. She sent birthday, anniversary, I'm thinking of you and get
well cards to everyone in our 600 member congregation. To folks who were going through a
long illness she send a card every week. Some folks received cards every week for years
from Mary Lou. Many of the cards she sent were to people she did not know. Mary Lou's
cards and Cliff's coins were backed up by sincere, simple, persistant prayer.
Both Cliff and Mary Lou suffered from ill health. They lived painful and limited
existances for the two and a half years I knew them. Yet each of them continued their
ministries, struggled with great pain to be in church every Sunday, and loved life and the
Lord to the last drop.
Today I give thanks that God's love works in the lives of Zaccheus, Cliff, Mary Lou,
you and me to make us saints. Peace, Rev. Diana at the dam
Since I'm so late... I've got to put all my thoughts in tonight... so, bear with me...
or bare with me...
My dad is a retired UM preacher... he is now a "bill collector"... he wins
every competition for most paid... most % collected... etc. etc.
His secret... well, besides receiving his share of those calls as a consumer... he
also, ministers to people when they say... "My spouse has cancer and well, my bills
don't seem that important anymore" - he listens to them... the "younger"
collecters try the "hard sell" - "Sir, you owe this... when will you
pay?" They can't understand how he does it...
I'm thinking Zach changed his "style" after his encounter with the Christ...
do we change ours?
That's the question!
"The Penguin in the tree"... is my sermon title...
pulpitt in ND
Decided to use the ladder myself as means of showing how Z sees things from a different
perspective from there--including himself. Then I will come down and do mini-sermon on how
grateful he is that Jesus recognized him--as a lead-in for our stewardship Sunday next
week. Sharon in Bethlehem
Nancy-Wi Thanks for your input. As a rare contributor but frequent reader, I find lots
of comfort and guidance from the thoughts of fellow pastors. My congregation is small
town, rural, middle class, and many are part of a very self-reliant bunch; pioneers and
their descendants if you will. I'm beginning to discover, the clicks; most are
self-serving, non-evangelistic, and, unfortunately, participate in inappropriate behavior.
(the "if the law doesn't fit, ignore it", mentality) The message last week
(prayer of the pharisee and the tax collector) seemed to touch many, but this week some
still undermined athority/ethical behavior for their own good. The example being set by
the regulars (small towners know what's up!) turns the new perspective attender away.
Anyway, This week, I was going to paint the picture of the scene, describing the crowd,
looking intimately at the crowd, describing the groups you mentioned, and then ask them to
put themselves in the picture. The similarity between those on the ground and the one in
the tree is that (other than Jesus) all are sinners. The difference between everyone on
the ground and Zach is that he was ready to change his ways, whatever it was he did wrong.
Jesus knew, Jesus knows, when someone, when we, are ready to change and Jesus does not
hesitate to come for us, even before we know wats going on! Are we ready to change? Were
are we in the crowd? The message today is for us so we fit in the picture somewhere, is
anybody in the tree? The visual of the stepladder, and then leaving it in the way while
taking communion sounds like what will happen in my struggling, but not forsaken,
community. I'm trying to figure a way to move from the tree and "me" concept, to
the cross and Jesus perspective in order to transition from Zach to communion. God's peace
to all and thanks for thinking out loud so I can overhear God's voice through you. LB
I like the idea of the ladder and may use it, even though I have a hard time being Z as
I am not short.
Here are a couple other thoughts. Throughout the previous chapter Jesus speaks parables
and stories are told. All which seem to come to life in the story of Z.
First off is the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector. Z is a tax collector.
Then there is the account of Jesus welcoming the children. Z acts like a child. Then there
is the story of the rich man. Z is rich. Finally there is the story of the blind man who
wanted to see. Z wanted to see.
All of these come together in Z's story. Somehow I think that's the direction I'm
going, but not sure how to pull it all together quite yet.
Thanks to all for your insights! Mark in WI
I'm struggling with a children's message related to the ladder concept. If anyone has a
suggestion for a children's message using the ladder idea, please submit it. I would be
willing to let the kids climb on the ladder to look at the congfregation IF there are not
to many and they are under control. But can't get my mind around the message. God's peace
LB
Hey gang, I preached from a ladder 3 weeks ago for a different scripture. ("God's
not up here, he came down to us in Jesus...") I sat on the top of a ten-foot ladder
placed on a staging platform. Is was generally effective. But, while I was up there, half
the people in the traditional service didn't hear a word I said, they were so worried I
would fall. I think I have a reputation for clumsiness. Dave in Iowa
Dave in Iowa Glad to hear you didn't fall! I was wondering about the people being more
worried about me on the ladder than listening to what was said. Will probably do something
with it just the same. Mark in WI
A dramatic all-age presentation.
The theme is freedom. The full range of meanings of the word freedom can include
liberation also and in religious terms the word Salvation can cover that.We believe Jesus
means freedom.In this presentation I had the the help of some intellectually disabled
children who performed superbly.
Props: Cardboard box, stick, and long piece of string
When I was a boy living in on a farm I was taught how to catch birds. What one had to
do was to find a box and put it out in the open, prop it up on one end with a stick, put
some birdseed underneath, then tie a piece of string to the stick and then hide behind a
bush and wait.. So lets do that. I will set up this box, prop it up with a stick ,tie a
long bit of string to the stick. And lets imagine this flower stand is a bush..(Set up all
this so all the congregation can see it) Now I need someone to hold this end of the string
and when I give the word to pull the string and we might catch a bird Don't pull it until
I give the call.
Let me put down some bird seed and a little trail .(imaginary seed) Now you may not be
able to see the seed but I am sure the birds can. Are you ready? Everyone keep very quiet.
Shhh Here comes a bird now.I hope it is hungry Can you see it? It is hard to see so you
might have to use your imagination. Can you see a bird now hopping towards the box to eat
the bird seed? Don't scare it. shhhh…. It is nearly under the box…. Its there!!!
Pull the string. Great!!!! I think we have caught a bird We have caught a bird.!!!!!! Now
let me get it out of the box. I think it might be a galah . (type of noisy Australian
parrot.). I have to be careful now, I don't want to hurt it.. (appropriate noises with
Box) I don't want it to escape. Got it!!. (Hold up imaginary bird)
Isn't it a beautiful bird? It's a budgie!!!! Not a galah . Can you see it?????
Yes,everyone can see it. Isn't imagination a wonderful thing? Now what do we do with it??
We could cook it for tea and make soup! How many think that's a good idea? Hmmm A budgie
is a bit small to cook. I'm glad it is not a galah. Actually galahs are not easy to cook
They are a bit tough Really very tough .. Have to get a big pot. Put the bird in, water
pepper and salt and then you put in a stone. Put it on the stove. Keep cooking until the
stone is soft and tender.. Then throw away the water and bird and you can eat the stone
because the galah would still be too tough..
If we don't want to cook it. We could put it in a cage. I don't have a cage here and it
is too nice to put in a cage. So we could let it go free
Who votes for letting it free?????? That obviously wins the vote. Well, I cannot just
let it go here in the Church. It could not get out of the building It would just fly
around inside.. So will someone take it outside for me and let it go?
(Hand over imaginary bird to volunteer.) Hold it careful now. Don't hurt him or maim
him. Just to the front door. Let it go. There - it has flown away. It is free.
Today we have the story of Zacchaeus. He was attracted to Jesus .Now Zacchaeus had
plenty to eat but he was still hungry, spiritually hungry He was trapped he wanted
freedom. Perhaps he was trapped by a poor career choice. Bad friends, other peoples
prejudices wrong ideas about himself. He heard that Jesus was coming to town and had food
for the soul instead of the food he had been eating. Food that would be for eternal life.
So Zacchaeaus thought if he saw Jesus perhaps he would not be hungry again. And he really
wanted some of this food
So He climbed up a tree, sat up there like a bird, like a bird to see Jesus. He kept
very quiet because he did not want to be seen. Hiding in the leaves. Then Jesus came
along, and Jesus saw him. He was caught. Caught! Caught. Come down, Zaccheus. said Jesus.
So Zacchaeus came down.
What did Jesus do??? He let him go free. "Today salvation, freedom has come to
this house". In the words of MLK .He's free at last. free at last ..Thank God
almighty Free at last.
Now comes the real scary part. He has his freedom. What is he going to do with it.??
Well Zaccheus decides he is going to try to put right anything he has done wrong first
off. If he has cheated anyone he willput that right..Then live a new way of life.The way
of Jesus.
He is not going to cheat people. He is going to try to put right things in the past.
What are you going to do with your freedom.?? You to can live as Jesus wants. Live honest
lives. Not cheat .. Care about other people. Be like jesus. Free from the past.. Big
question. (give your own local ideas)
Don Mudgee NSW Uniting Church in Australia
I think I'm going in a new direction, perhaps unchartered territory. I want to compare
Z to Rahab, Jesus' foremother who was also a resident of Jericho. Both had unacceptable
professions, both went "out on a limb," and both received salvation. Perhaps
when Jesus saw Z, he truely saw his own people and thus decribed him as "son of
Abraham." JR in BigD
Can't you see the following note on the Fridge of Zach's house?
"Honey, um, we're going to have some extra company for supper tonight!" Your
loving husband,
Zach
pulpitt in ND ;?)
Nancy from Wisc...
I like your image of the view of different crowds...
Groups gather? waiting for the messiah?not unlike all of us? we?ve come from our
different experiences of life. We?ve put names and faces to the realities of our lives,
the ones we might have discriminated against had we not experienced them as real people.
People who risk, who bend the rules as we first saw them? to bring us closer to Christ?s
presence.
I changed my sermon from "The Penguin up the Tree" to "Bending
Branches"
Thanks,
pulpitt in ND
Rev. Diana at the dam
Thanks for your contribution..."Their stories give me hope that God can work
through me." AMEN!
pulpitt in ND
I just found out that a gay couple came to my church last Wednesday night, and will be
coming back this Sunday. Someone told me that they said they were "searching for
something, and may have found it." Talk about people on the fringe...talk about
having to climb a tree to see Jesus...can't see around tradition...it's too tall...can't
see over prejudice...it's too wide...gotta go out on a limb. Will y'all pray with me that
we all hear Jesus call us by name tomorrow? NBC Preacher
Mark in Wisconsin...wrote:
"I like the idea of the ladder and may use it, even though I have a hard time
being Z as I am not short."
I have an 18 year old son that is 6'8" tall, he slumps and slouches to "fit
in"... all day at school, at home, in the pew at church... I think there can be the
same problem with people too tall... Some, seemingly looking above the problems... the
best advice my son got, was from a 6'7" cousin in his 40's. He told my son... to get
used to the fact that he's tall, but not to use that as an excuse... to slouch... be who
you are... he said... Christ told Zach to "BE WHO YOU ARE!"
Thanks,
pulpitt in ND
NBC Preacher.. I am praying for you. Most of the people who come to my church are gay.
This always puts a twist on sermon prep. Like Z. gay often have a hard time approaching
God. Just coming to church is like climbing that tree. Jesus told Z to come down from that
tree and he was gonna have dinner at his house. Communion is our dinner with Jesus, yet so
many gay people are told that they are unworthy to approach the table of God. When we open
our table to ALL, we exemplify the grace that Christ showed Z.... Wilder in CA
To Brent in Pincher: thanks for your and the quote from Doug Hall. Very
helpful. In my sermon, I talk about how as a member of the grumbling crowd, I would rather
distance myself from the sinner rather than share a meal with them. Great contribution.
Blessings, RCC in Quebec
