April 7, 2024
What kid out there didn't fall in love with Zacchaeus? He was short like a kid, he climbed trees and Jesus looked up, caught him, and went over to this house. I have always loved this story. This glimpse into a light-hearted interaction with Jesus. No one to heal, rescue, raise from the dead, confront, or disciple. A vertically challenged wealthy man wants to see Jesus and with no expectation of interaction makes an effort by climbing a tree to get a good look. Not only does he see Jesus, but Jesus also sees him and invites himself to his house for dinner. What a quirky story that only Luke tells.
continue our study of the characters of the Old Testament. We are taking a look at the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5. Naaman commanded the army of Aram (one of Israel's enemies). This mighty warrior had a problem; he had leprosy and sought relief. As we consider this story together, what do we learn about the nature of God? What can we carry into our lives from this account?
א וְשָׂרַי אֵשֶׁת אַבְרָם, לֹא יָלְדָה לוֹ; וְלָהּ שִׁפְחָה מִצְרִית, וּשְׁמָהּ הָגָר. ב וַתֹּאמֶר שָׂרַי אֶל-אַבְרָם, הִנֵּה-נָא עֲצָרַנִי יְהוָה מִלֶּדֶת--בֹּא-נָא אֶל-שִׁפְחָתִי, אוּלַי אִבָּנֶה מִמֶּנָּה; וַיִּשְׁמַע אַבְרָם, לְקוֹל שָׂרָי. ג וַתִּקַּח שָׂרַי אֵשֶׁת-אַבְרָם, אֶת-הָגָר הַמִּצְרִית שִׁפְחָתָהּ, מִקֵּץ עֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים, לְשֶׁבֶת אַבְרָם בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן; וַתִּתֵּן אֹתָהּ לְאַבְרָם אִישָׁהּ, לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה. ד וַיָּבֹא אֶל-הָגָר, וַתַּהַר; וַתֵּרֶא כִּי הָרָתָה, וַתֵּקַל גְּבִרְתָּהּ בְּעֵינֶיהָ. Even if we could read it, would it matter?
