A man desperate for work agreed to spend six months miles from shore on a tiny fishing hut—lighting lamps to attract fish. His only human contact occurred once a week when supplies were delivered. Disaster struck when the hut’s mooring broke and he drifted hundreds of miles out to sea. His hopes later sank as he watched ten ships pass and his cooking fuel ran out. Finally, after 49 days adrift, the man was spotted by a ship’s crew and rescued!
We may never be stranded in the ocean, but most of us have felt adrift, lost, and desperate for help and hope. Perhaps like Zacchaeus in today’s Scripture reading, we’re an outcast and yet somehow know Jesus is the One we need (Luke 19:3-4). Scripture repeatedly recounts how God comes to us in our rebellion and troubles. In Eden, God finds Adam and Eve, hiding and confused (Genesis 3:8-9). And Israel runs away again and again (Psalm 78:40), but God draws them back. Finally, Jesus, God’s ultimate Source of rescue, comes not for those who have life figured out but for those who are in a mess. Jesus “came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10).
While we face challenges amidst the tossing seas of life, God promises to be with us in them. And hope comes as we remember that Jesus has provided our ultimate rescue—from sin and death (v. 9; Ephesians 2:4-8).
– Winn Collier
Where do you need God’s rescue? Where are you lost? What would it take for you to yield to God’s rescue and help?
Dear Father, I’m out on my own, in deep trouble. I don’t think anyone can help me. But You say You come for the lost. I’m here. Please come.
1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way
through the town.
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the
chief tax collector in the region,
and he had become very rich.
3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too
short to see over the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig
tree beside the road, for Jesus
was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus
and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!”
he said. “Quick, come down! I must be
a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took
Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone
to be the guest of a notorious sinner,”
they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord
and said, “I will give half my wealth to the
poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their
taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today,
for this man has shown himself to
be a true son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
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