“I was watching some television last night,” Stan began, “and the most interesting thing I saw was a commercial for some used cars.”
“You must be kidding!” I exclaimed.
“Nope,” Stan replied. “There was this guy advertising his used cars. He said he was having a big sale that ended at midnight. He kept saying to ‘Hurry on down before it is too late’.”
“What was interesting to you about that?” I asked.
“It made me think about what we talked about the other day, about the fellow who climbed the sycamore tree in order to see Jesus.” [Note to Reader, see Posting Number 469, “Climbing Sycamore Trees”.]
“We did talk about that,” I responded, “about a man by the name of Zaccheus. But what does selling used cars have to do with some guy who climbed a sycamore tree a long time ago?”
“It’s the ‘hurry on down’ part,” Stan said.
Continuing, he said, “Luke’s gospel account records that Jesus told Zaccheus to hurry and come down from the tree because Jesus wanted to spend some time with him.”
“And,” he continued, “Zaccheus’ résponse is what is important for me.”
“What was his response?”
“He hurried and came down,” Stan said. “He didn’t hang around enjoying the view. No, he responded immediately. He hurried. Same with me. When Jesus says He wants to spend some time with me, I am do drop everything that may be in the way of doing that.”
“I am to hurry to be with Jesus. I am to hurry on down before I miss the opportunity to spend time with Him.”
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And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house. And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly. Luke 19:5, 6.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you want me to spend time with you and with your Son. I confess that too often I do not spend the time with you that you have available. And I confess that too often I do not hurry to spend time with you. Please forgive me. And please help me in following your lead in wanting to spend time with you. Please help me in choosing to spend time with you, rather than with anything that is apart from you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 