ETERNITY

[Ranb2khz]

An Open Invitation

~ Just as Jesus made the first move to reach out in love to us, we should initiate connection with others.

Zaccheus was a typical tax collector of his time — wealthy by deceitful means and disdained for his greed. But that didn’t stifle his curiosity about Jesus. He fought through crowds and even climbed a tree for a mere glimpse of the famed teacher and healer. That’s when Jesus singled him out and invited Himself to Zaccheus’s house for dinner (Luke 19:1-10).

Time and again we see Jesus reach out to make the first move in a relationship, and He does the same with us. It’s His nature to invite and welcome — and to do so with unconditional love. As believers, we’re to follow His example in our own connections with others. In fact, healthy relationships must begin with us because we can control only our own behavior, not someone else’s. Even Zaccheus had the choice to turn down Jesus’ invitation for dinner that day, but having been seen and pursued by the Lord, the tax collector “hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully” (Luke 19:6).

Think About It:

• Consider one of your relationships that needs attention.
• What’s scary about being the person to reach out, sacrifice, or make amends?
• What loving or healing gesture can you offer this week?

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/an-open-invitation






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