“GOD CHANGES US”
“GOD CHANGES US”
“Then Zacchaeus, standing up, said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone in anything, I will return it quadrupled.”
(Luke 19: 8)
The presence of GOD changes us. It is impossible not to change if you are with GOD. The presence of GOD in life is an expression of grace, acceptance and mercy. In a word: “love”. Love as love really is and should be between us.
The story of JESUS with Zacchaeus reveals this to us. The publican who wanted to see JESUS, who wanted to know who the famous rabbi of Nazareth was, that strange close rabbi that the religious people only wanted to keep their distance from, ended up surprised. He wanted to see JESUS and, if possible, meet HIM, and he discovered that he was seen and known by the MASTER. I can imagine the fear!
JESUS looked at Zacchaeus and told him, calling him by name, that he would like to be his guest that night. And so it happened. Being with JESUS completely moved Zacchaeus and he decided to make changes. What conversation would they have had? What did JESUS say during dinner? I think we can find out by reading the Sermon on the Mount.
JESUS showed him a new perspective on life. A new way of understanding existence changed the way Zacchaeus thought about himself and about others. Instead of greed, generosity. Instead of selfishness, altruism. Someone has said that no one has more power to change us than the person who accepts us as we are. And I agree. Because there is no overwhelming proof of love as acceptance. And that changes us. That is GOD.
He is able to continue loving us despite our resistance to His will or our insistence on doing ours. He loves us even when we don’t keep the promises we made. There are times when we think we are so good or feel so guilty that we negotiate with GOD: we make promises. We are sinners and we may differ in our sins, but we all turn away from GOD.
Still, what saves us is his love for us. Believing with all our being in this love transforms us. And when we believe in the love of GOD, in endless grace, we do not settle for sin, we assume our sinfulness and we begin to be won over by holiness. Dialogues and challenges are part of this process and the changes will be irresistible. those changes that GOD promotes. Look at the story of Zacchaeus. That’s what it tells us. Let our story tell the same story because it is the fruit of the same divine grace and love.
Dear LORD, may Your love and Your grace dominate my life and guide me always to glorify You, following Your teachings and fulfilling Your will. In the name of JESUS. Amen and Amen.
