Closer To Heaven
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Is this True, Somewhat True, or False? Helping the less fortunate is a mandatory part of the life of a Christian. Join us as we discuss Lesson 7, Unto the Least of These.
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/unto-the-least-of-these-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/
Zacchaeus was a wealthy Jew who had made his money by working as a tax collector for the hated Romans. For that, and because he and other tax collectors exacted more tax than was really due, Zacchaeus was hated and called a “sinner.”
Image © The Classic Bible Art Collection – Formerly Standard Publishing at Goodsalt.com
Zacchaeus lived in Jericho, which sat on a trade route with much business commerce. The meeting of Zacchaeus and Jesus was not a coincidence. Zacchaeus had apparently come under spiritual conviction and wanted to make some changes in his life. He had heard about Jesus and wanted to see Him. Word must have gotten out that the group Jesus was traveling with would arrive in Jericho that day. Jesus needed to pass through Jericho from Galilee, on His final trip to Jerusalem. Christ’s first words to Zacchaeus revealed that, even before entering the town, Jesus knew all about him.
Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler had some things in common. Both were rich; both wanted to see Jesus, and both wanted eternal life. But here the similarities stop.
Notice that when Zacchaeus said that he would give “half of my goods” (Luke 19:8) to the poor, Jesus accepted this gesture as an expression of a true conversion experience. He didn’t say to him, Sorry, Zac, but like with the rich young ruler, it’s all or nothing. Half is not going to cut it. Why? Most likely because, though Zacchaeus surely liked his wealth, it wasn’t the god to him that it was to the rich young ruler. In fact, though we don’t know what Jesus specially said to him, Zacchaeus is the one who first speaks about giving money to the poor. In contrast, Jesus had to tell the rich young ruler specifically to give it all up; otherwise it would have destroyed him. Though Zacchaeus, like any wealthy person, needed to be careful about the dangers of wealth, he seemed to have had it under better control than did the rich young ruler.
“When the rich young ruler had turned away from Jesus, the disciples had marveled at their Master’s saying, ‘How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!’ They had exclaimed one to another, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Now they had a demonstration of the truth of Christ’s words, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’ Mark 10:24, Mark 10:26; Luke 18:27. They saw how, through the grace of God, a rich man could enter into the kingdom.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 555.
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I think my parents did a pretty balanced job of raising me. I was taught that no one was better than me and that I am no better than anyone else.
A while back I was listening to a documentary on NPR , talking about how awkward it was for people who served as maids and butlers to become successful and turn around and have their own maids and butlers. To me it would not be awkward at all. I have actually had to hire a temporary housekeeper at times when I became so busy with multiple jobs. There were also times when I did some housekeeping or landscaping work myself to make extra money. When I was working for someone in their home I never thought of them as better than me, and when someone was working in my home, I never thought I was better than they. I just thought we were all just helping each other out as we made our way through life.
However some people are tempted to think they are better than others. Having worked with youth and families in churches and schools, I have learned there are two types of parents. One type of parent teaches their kids not to act like they are better than anyone else. The other group teaches their kids they aren’t better than anyone else. Even with my professed balanced upbringing, I have had to tell myself, “If I shouldn’t say something condescending then I should not even think it.”
Here are some ideas that help to keep me humble – as if all my mistakes and failures were not enough.
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 1 John 4:20 NKJV
I understand the word “love” here is “agape.” Agape is the love God has for bad people. Of course God is good; so he does not need our agape, since He actually earns our love. So what I understand John saying here is this, “If you say would agape God and love Him even if He was bad, prove it by loving your brother who really is bad. Speaking on this passage I once heard Wintley Phipps say, “Our love for God is no stronger than the love we have for the person we love the least.”
Speaking of the least, Jesus says,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40 NKJV
Jesus gave His life for sinners. If the least of sinners needs my time and help, and I shrug them off as not worth my time or money, then I have just put myself above Jesus. No matter how smart, rich or talented I think I am, if I think a sinner is not worth my time and effort after Jesus gave His life for them, then I must think I’m greater than Jesus!
For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16 NKJV
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV
How could I be too good to die for someone for whom Jesus died?
Our attitude towards the least of these shows our attitude towards Jesus.
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/are-you-better-than-someone-jesus-died-for/
Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, G. Edward Reid, as they provide additional insights into this Quarter’s Sabbath School lessons, “Managing for the Master, Till He Comes”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjmFT3_Vvg0&w=560&h=315]
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-unto-the-least-of-these-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/
You can view an in-depth discussion of Unto the Least of These in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqQ3FyLGEEk&w=560&h=315]
With thanks to
Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-unto-the-least-of-these-hopess-video-discussion/
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