Title This Man's Thanksgiving / Luke 19:1-10
Content Luke 19:1-10
Guys, where is your gratitude? Genuine gratitude, such an emotional and heartbreaking emotion, is not in the prosperity, freedom, prosperity, success, and glory that we usually think of. Rather, in the sick, in the poor, in the most desperate place, there is true gratitude in the suffering.
What kind of suffering did they not endure without being so grateful? They first thanked their health. Because it's December 1620, it's cold. During the long voyage, all those who set out with a dozen men perished on board the ship. They died of scurvy and various viral diseases, and 48 people died. And half survived. Thanks for surviving. And thank you for being so healthy. This was my first thanks. Clothing and shelter are also issues. I arrived in an unfamiliar place and there was nothing. Here they cut down trees and built seven huts, log cabins. Then they went into the log house, lit a fire, and gave thanks to God. This is Thanksgiving. Also, speaking of food, I arrived at a place called Plymouth, but there was nothing in an unfamiliar land. I planted some of the seeds they brought, among them barley and wheat, but failed completely because the soil was different. Rather, with the help of the Native Americans, thanks to them, they were able to harvest some corn. I took this corn, caught a turkey running around in the field, roasted it, and gave thanks.
Where is your true gratitude? It is there that is most difficult and desperate, where tears come to offer sincere thanks in the midst of suffering.
But he was short. A lot of people are rushing around with them, but they can't see the face of Jesus. He climbed up the mulberry tree in spite of his face. And they look down on Jesus in the passers-by. He cannot miss this graceful opportunity. I can't miss this important once-in-a-lifetime moment. And what did he expect? Looking down at Jesus from a mulberry tree. This is the situation presented in today's text.
Now look at how Jesus treated him. "Look up," he said. I looked. Rather, it became strange. Zacchaeus did not look up to Jesus, but Jesus saw Zacchaeus. It is important that you see it. Personally, I see you personally. It's face-to-face, eye-to-eye time. This is a very precious time. It's not like I see a lot of people. By designating, you focused on one person. You saw Zacchaeus. That means you saw me.
Another read Zacchaeus' heart. There is no exchange of words here. But Jesus knew enough. Jesus read the heart of why that man climbed the mulberry tree, why is he trying to see me, and why he is waiting for the Messiah with so much earnestness. Jesus read his troubles, his deep concerns, and his ultimate concerns. You know it all. What kind of long talk do you need? If you do this, you know. I knew enough. Jesus knew Zacchaeus' heart. Not through his words, but through his actions, he understood all of his deep troubles. I am thrilled here.
Another thing, "I must stay at your house today." These are the first words Jesus said. No long explanations here. But today I will stay at your house. This is Siri's house. All the Jews did not deal with them, did not greet them, and not even the beggars took the tax collector's money. I got it and threw it away. In the house of a tax collector who treats you like this, Jesus will sleep in your house tonight. Where in the world is this kind of gratitude? Everyone, what do you think is the greatest love? Are you the one who gives me material things? Are you the one who gives me knowledge? The most precious thing is to give me my righteousness. of. It is a time to change his identity by the coming of the righteous to the sinner's house and the Messiah coming to the sinner's house. This is what I am so grateful for.
And Jesus says. “Today salvation has come to this house.” This is Immanuel. Salvation has come to this house. These are the descendants of Abraham. He brings the great blessing of attaining perfect justification.
Now let's see. What is this person's gratitude? Zacchaeus said, “It was fun” at this time, and among these graces, the first. You should be happy. Gratitude is about being happy. Gratitude without joy is not gratitude. So I have to say thank you with a happy face and a happy heart. Forced to say thank you doesn't mean thank you. thanks, joy. That joy itself is the most accurate response to grace. However, the important thing is not that you have obtained material things or that you have gained authority. He rejoices that Jesus is coming to our house. We rejoice because of Immanuel. Satisfying joy. And welcomed him. welcome with sincerity.
Another open mind. My mouth popped right away. My heart was opened and I said, "I will give half of my wealth to the poor." What does this mean? Jesus read Zacchaeus' heart. Zacchaeus has now read the mind of Jesus. “Jesus helps the poor.” I knew. I will go back to the heart of Jesus and give half of my wealth to help the poor, my heart opens. “If I extorted anything, I will pay you back fourfold.” This means to keep the law. The law commands so. “From now on, I will live as a law keeper,” he confesses.
Where is your true gratitude? Originally, true gratitude begins with thinking. So, the words Think and Thank have the same etymology. Without thinking, you cannot be grateful. Depending on which direction you think and what you think, you become grateful. He who thinks of what has been lost is not grateful. When I think of what I have gained, what I have received, what I can do, and when I think of grace, I can be grateful.
If you know that humans are impermanent, you are a Buddhist. If you know the principle of human life, you are a Confucian. If you know grace, you are a Christian. If you know that only grace, and that all things come by grace, then you are a Christian and a believer. No one is a Christian without thanksgiving in his mouth. You will be grateful for everything. It is particularly thrilling. It interprets everything with emotion, and also emotion manifests itself as testimony and action. That's why I'll give half of my wealth to the poor, the practice situation is coming out here. Giving heart, this is gratitude. A happy heart is gratitude.
What is your success? Gratitude is success and joy is happiness. A bell is a bell when it rings. If there is overwhelming emotion and gratitude in his heart, he is a happy person and a successful person.