Babbage, Debbie 5

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 (NLT) – “Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 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.’ Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled. 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!’ Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.’”

Message: I like to read one of the Gospels after Advent and I came to the story of Zacchaeus in Luke. I mentioned to my daughter, Sarah, that I was thinking that this might be the focus of my post Advent devotion. The first thing she did was to break out singing the song she learned so many years ago. Let’s face it – we all sort of do the same thing.

This story is so much more than that. Zacchaeus is a very rich tax collector, and although we don’t really know too much after that, we have an idea that, like many tax collectors in the day, he was dishonest, selfish, and most likely lonely since he was probably despised. Yet, (and this is a big yet), he felt compelled to get a look at Jesus and had to climb a tree just to do that. Hidden among the leaves, Jesus found him, called him by name, and had dinner with him.

In this encounter, Zacchaeus has a powerful conversion of the heart, head, and purse. He realizes at that moment he has a chance to start over. He can put selfishness, dishonesty, and loneliness behind him. The love of Christ empowered him to have a new beginning. Although the folks of Jericho were displeased – God, through Jesus, saw an opportunity to show grace, mercy, and love for all to see.

Where has Jesus found you? Were you, or are you, hiding from Him? How can, or did He, get you to join Him?

There was hope for Zacchaeus, just as there is hope for us. We do have another chance. Sometimes when we start over, we experience our greatest encounters with the triune God.

What baggage do we want to leave behind this Lent? Along with God, who can help us to start over? Jesus came to seek and save all of us who are lost. Isn’t that a powerful proclamation!

Prayer: Creator God, thank You for seeing a chance to start over in all of us. Your grace and love are examples of You wanting us to succeed in having a close relationship with You. Give us the strength and courage to take that step of change. In your Son’s precious name. Amen.

Debbie Babbage

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Scriptures: John 12:44-46 (NLT) – “Jesus shouted to the crowds, ‘If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.’”

Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) – “Therefore, since we are made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

Message: Jesus has made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He predicts His death, and then before leaving the crowds for His final Passover meal with His disciples, He makes one final plea as recorded in John 12:44 above.

Trust. What a difficult thing for humans to do. There are so many books written on trusting your spouse, family, work colleges, and persons on the street. We especially have difficulty trusting things we don’t see. Imagine everything that the crowds, in Jesus’ times, saw and heard, and still had trouble trusting.

What is trust but another word for faith. We are reminded in Luke 17:6 that only a small amount of faith is needed – the size of the tiny mustard seed. Faith brings us joy, as stated in Romans 5:1-2.

Trust and faith in Jesus are what brings us into a right relationship with God. Throughout the Gospels Jesus reminds us that He was sent by God, and we are seeking God when we search out Jesus. Jesus is our guiding light even when we are faced with darkness. Why? John 1-5 (NLT): “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (bolded for emphasis)

Prayer: Creator God, we all have issues with trust, but we are so grateful for the presence of Your Son Jesus. In those times of our unbelief, we are reminded that You are always with us (Mark 9:23-24). Your Son’s undying love for all mankind is the light of the world. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us to be Christ’s light to all whom we encounter. In Your precious Son’s name. Amen.

Debbie Babbage

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Scriptures: Numbers 24:17a-b (NLT) – “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Jacob.

Matthew 2:1b-2 (NLT) – “About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’”

Matthew 2:9b-10 (NLT) – “And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”

Message: What do you think of when you hear of the Bethlehem star? When you look up into the vast night sky, aren’t you drawn to the light of those stars? Scientists can give all sorts of research on what a star is, what it is made of, how this star could be so bright and why it could be followed during this time. But that is not what God was doing when this star shone in that dark sky. It was a beacon of hope, light of love, the brightness in the vast dark, there to lead us to the love of God, His Son Jesus, who would show us how to live as Godly people – in unison with God and with each other.

In the month leading up to the election, I took the challenge to only post positive, loving messages on social media – being a light in a world of fear and hate. It may have been a small effort, but the response was positive. If I touch one person, God’s light is shown through leading them a little closer to God’s love.

The star of Bethlehem, predicted so long before, led the wise men to the new King of the Jews. We are called to be that light to lead others to Jesus, too.

Prayer: Creator God, as Your Bethlehem star guided the wise men to Jesus, let Your light within us guide others to Him, too. Let every encounter we have be an opportunity to pass on Jesus’ light, love, and joy, guiding them to a life centered on You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Debbie Babbage

1. “We Three Kings” by John H. Hopkins (based on Matthew 2:1-12). 1857. Public Domain. The United Methodist Hymnal #254.

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Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) – “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Message: I remember how important it was to find the right name for my children: Brendan – Irish for Prince / King; Paige – kind, helpful, compassionate; Sarah – princess, noble/spiritual soul. They were names that couldn’t be shortened for nicknames. Their identity was in their full name.

After the chaos of the delivery, there was that peaceful time alone with my baby, where we could fully and completely be introduced. It was then, trying on the child’s name for the first time, I couldn’t help praising and thanking God for this beautiful baby and for the impact this child would have on my life and to all who would have contact with them.

Can you imagine that moment with Mary, knowing already what the angel Gabriel and the prophets foretold: Wonderful Counselor – extraordinary wisdom; Mighty God – His divinity; Everlasting Father – benevolent protector; and Prince of Peace – ruler who will bring peace to the world. In that quiet moment where it’s just her and her Son, thanking God for what this child has already done and will continue to do in her life. It’s the name Jesus (“God saves”) she will use in her daily life. Jesus the name invoking the identities found in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus, whose name will be on the lips of God’s people going forward into everlasting time. It’s the name Jesus we will call upon during trials and tribulations, and praise for all our joys. Jesus the name raised in worship. Jesus – what a powerful name!

This Christmas morning, seek out that moment of quietness and hold that image of God’s child in your arms. Thank God for Jesus’ wisdom and protection He provides every day. Feel the love and peace that only Jesus can bring. Bask in the divinity of God’s son. Use this time to reintroduce yourself to this beautiful child who will empower you to bring honor and glory to God’s kingdom on earth.

Prayer: Creator God, Thank You for Your Son Jesus with all His powerful titles. His identity and mine are in His full name. Guide me to intentionally seek Him out in my life, calling out His name, and introducing Him to others. May everyday be a celebration of His birth. Amen.

Debbie Babbage

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Scripture: Psalm 133 (NLT) – “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.”

Message: This scripture passage has stayed with me for a couple months after I read it in a daily devotion. How wonderful it would be if we all lived in harmony? It’s a challenge these days. Yet as we prepare to set our eyes on the birth of the beautiful gift of love from God, how can we not feel the power of what that love has done for each of us? Jesus’ existence on earth was focused on reaching out and unifying all to God and to each other, through the power of love. I’m reminded of a Christmas song that Celine Dion sings: “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day”¹.

The song encourages us not to get so busy, that we miss opportunities to share God’s love with others, through a smile or a kiss. It reminds us that everyday people are dying and crying all over the world, and are calling out to be loved. This could not be more relevant with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent killing and maiming of innocents in Israel and Palestine.

Let us reflect God’s love, not only at Christmas, but with every encounter, every single day, as our contribution to harmony. The source for unity is available to us every day through the Holy Spirit, to share with all whom we meet.

Family Activity: Listen to the Celine Dion song “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day” then read and discuss the lyrics.

Prayer: Creator God, thank You for Your gift of love. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Your Son, let us strive to be the love and light that Jesus modeled here on earth for You and for us. Let this love be the continued source for unity and harmony. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Debbie Babbage

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