Kevin offered an interesting insight into the reading of this day. The passage is that of Zaccheus. He said, he was wondering what new or different could he share about his passage from the Gospel that we have heard so many times.
He then said that he noticed something in the structure of the Gospel itself. The story of Zaccheus follows that of the rich young man and the poor blind man. The curing of the blind beggar is so to say, sandwiched in between the stories of the two rich men.
The young man and Zaccheus were both rich in wealth. Both of them were keen to meet Jesus. The young man had some idea of how to become better, but that he had already mastered. He knew not what next. Zaccheus, on the other hand, knew exactly what he had to do. He was aware of his corrupt dealings and what needed to be done to shun that burden of guilt. Once Jesus arrives on the scene, all that Jesus does is give that final push! The young man, asks for further instructions. However, on knowing what that entails, he is hesitant to go down that road. Zaccheus, does not need further instructions. All that he has is a self-invitation of Jesus to dine with him. He then rattles off his next mode of living!
At what stage of life am I? Am I aware of what the Lord wants of me? If aware, am I willing to undertake that what He wants of me? Am I conscious of what I need to give up, if I am to follow the Lord? Am I ready for that?
I suppose, the same questions arise in the intermediary context of poor blind man. Another lesson, we can draw from these three stories together is that no matter what our financial situation is, we are always in need!
He then said that he noticed something in the structure of the Gospel itself. The story of Zaccheus follows that of the rich young man and the poor blind man. The curing of the blind beggar is so to say, sandwiched in between the stories of the two rich men.
The young man and Zaccheus were both rich in wealth. Both of them were keen to meet Jesus. The young man had some idea of how to become better, but that he had already mastered. He knew not what next. Zaccheus, on the other hand, knew exactly what he had to do. He was aware of his corrupt dealings and what needed to be done to shun that burden of guilt. Once Jesus arrives on the scene, all that Jesus does is give that final push! The young man, asks for further instructions. However, on knowing what that entails, he is hesitant to go down that road. Zaccheus, does not need further instructions. All that he has is a self-invitation of Jesus to dine with him. He then rattles off his next mode of living!
At what stage of life am I? Am I aware of what the Lord wants of me? If aware, am I willing to undertake that what He wants of me? Am I conscious of what I need to give up, if I am to follow the Lord? Am I ready for that?
I suppose, the same questions arise in the intermediary context of poor blind man. Another lesson, we can draw from these three stories together is that no matter what our financial situation is, we are always in need!
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