Luke 19 Devo

In Luke 19 we find a story familiar to many of us. One that childrens’ songs and skits have been made out of. A story of a wee little man named Zacchaeus. I think this story has a lot to say about hospitality.

The NIV reads like this:

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

There are few things Jesus does that teach us how to be hospitable:

1. Jesus saw him.

Zacchaeus had climbed a tree. He was above everyone. He likely wasn’t in anyone’s line of vision. Even the text said Jesus had to look up to see him. Jesus saw him anyway.

We need to see people. That’s the first step to hospitality: See people.

2. Jesus wanted to be with him.

Jesus invited himself into Zacchaeus’ home. I don’t recommend you do that to people, but I think Jesus’ actions show us how much he wanted to be with Zacchaeus.

Sometimes it’s hard to want to really be with people. Jesus likely had a long day of travel. He could’ve made excuses. But he wanted to be with Zacchaeus. Don’t make excuses. Be with people.

3. Jesus encouraged him.

Verses 9 and 10 talk about salvation. Here, Jesus is telling Zacchaeus who he is. He’s a son. And he’s worth seeking and saving.

We can do the same thing. People need to be encouraged. They need to know who they are. And they need to know they are worth loving.

When it comes down to it, I think hospitality is just about loving people. Loving people is simple. See them. Want to be with them. Encourage them.