Way Things Should Be in the Kingdom

When I was a child, one of the things that I really thought was fun was that you never knew who might just stop by unannounced to say hello. I had the privilege of growing up in a neighborhood where each of my aunts and uncles on both sides lived within walking distance of my home. That meant that at any moment through the week anyone of my dad’s sisters or brothers or my mom’s sister or brother might just stop by to say hello or just “sit for a spell!” It didn’t just stop with family though, back then any friend might just stop in, we even had a “long lost relative” stop by and then one month later they were gone!

Because of the unexpected nature of drop in visits, there was not time to get the house cleaned up before someone stopped by. There was an unspoken statement of “come as you are and accept me as I am.” We never had to get cleaned up before we showed hospitality.

At the same time of life, I grew up in a church that whether unintentionally or not, made you feel that before you came to the Lord that you had to “Clean yourself up!” It was incredible to watch the looks and see the actions or inaction of the “church people” toward the underdressed, smoke-smelling, tattooed wearing, long haired, body pierced, liquor drinking, party dancing, non-bible carrying people that came to the church. Those that were just doing what they were supposed to do, outside of a relationship with Christ.

I love how in Scripture, God gives us a picture of the way things should be in the Kingdom.

One such place is in the story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector in Luke chapter 19. Here is a man that is in a position that is hated by many and probably for good reason because of the way that he would take advantage of others for personal gain.

Then Jesus steps into his journey and everything turns around.

Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and desired to see Him, as soon as He did, Jesus said, “I must stay at your house today”. Zacchaeus didn’t have time to “Call the maid” and tell her to clean up because Jesus was coming, Scripture tells us that “he came down at once and welcomed him gladly”. What room has Jesus requested entrance to in your life and you’ve not allowed Him in because you feel that you need to “clean up” before you let Him in?

God is so good! The passage goes on to show us that Zacchaeus let Jesus in and then Jesus took care of cleaning, not Zacchaeus’s house but his heart. Jesus came to change lives, not circumstances, but lives in the midst of those circumstances. Our Master loved Zacchaeus so much that He accepted him as he was, but loved him enough not to leave him there. Don’t neglect to come just as you are; bring your life, your everything, dirt and all and God will, through the power of His Holy Spirit change your life, forever; For His glory alone. Listen to His call today and let Him in. You’ll want Him to stay!