1耶穌路過耶利哥城。2當時有個家財豐厚的羅馬總稅官名叫撒該，3他很渴望能看到耶穌，可是因為自己身材矮小，總是被人群擋住了視線，無法看見。4所以他便跑到前頭，爬上路旁的一棵桑樹，居高臨下觀看，因為耶穌會從那裡經過。5耶穌走到那裡，抬頭招呼他：「撒該，快下來！今天我要到你家做客。」（路加福音19:1-5）現中
- 生命由迷惘變踏實
6撒該連忙爬下來，興高采烈地帶耶穌回家。⋯⋯9耶穌對他說：「救恩今天臨到你的家了，因為你也是亞伯拉罕的子孫。10我來是要尋找拯救迷失的人。」（路加福音19:6，9-10）現中
- 心靈由貧乏變豐盈
撒該站起來，誠懇地對祂說：「從前我欺騙過誰，現在要四倍奉還。」（路加福音19:8）現中
我清楚知道世上沒有甚麼比認識主基督耶穌這件事更有價值。所以我甘願將自己的一切，都當作糞土廢物一樣丟掉，為的是要得著基督。（腓立比書3:8）當代
似乎憂愁，卻是常常快樂的；似乎貧窮，卻是叫許多人富足的；似乎一無所有，卻是樣樣都有的。（歌林多後書 6:10）和合
- 生活由聚歛變施與
撒該站起來，誠懇地對祂說：「主啊，我要把我一半的財產分給窮人，從前我欺騙過誰，現在要四倍奉還。」（路加福音19:8）現中
不可自私，要慷慨施與，上主就會事事賜福給你們。（申命記15:10）現中
你們要給人，就必有給你們的，並且用十足的升斗，連搖帶按，上尖下流地倒在你們懷裏；因為你們用甚麼量器量給人，也必用甚麼量器量給你們。（路加福音6:38）現中
思想及回應：
- 你認為自己生活的最大保障是甚麼？你為了鞏固這個保障，你需要付出些甚麼？
- 你認為自己現時所努力追求的，能令你的生命變得更充實和快樂嗎？
- 撒該那麼渴慕能看見耶穌的原因會是甚麼？為甚麼當耶穌說要住在他家時，他那麼高興和雀躍？
- 你認為是甚麼原因，令撒該在遇見耶穌之後有那麼大的改變？
- 你認為自己的生命、生活和心靈最需要的是些甚麼？
From collecting money to dispersing money
Rev. Abraham Chiu
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:1-5) ESV
1. Life changes from confusion to solidity
6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully… 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19: 6, 9-10) ESV
2. The soul changes from poverty to abundance
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19: 8) ESV
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3: 8) ESV
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6: 10) ESV
3. Life changes from gathering to giving
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19: 8) ESV
You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. (Deuteronomy 15: 10) ESV
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) ESV
Reflections and Discussion:
- What do you think is the greatest guarantee for your life? What do you need to do to consolidate this protection?
- Do you think what you are currently pursuing can make your life more fulfilling and happy?
- What could be the reason why Zacchaeus was so eager to see Jesus? Why was Jesus so happy and excited when he said he would stay in his home?
- Why do you think Zacchaeus changed so much after meeting Jesus?
- What do you think you need most in your life, life, and soul?