Before you start

Set aside 15 minutes to walk through this guided reflection. 

Find a quiet place in your home, at a cafe, or at a park. Set your phone out of sight during this time. 

Take time to quiet your heart. Consider reciting Psalm 131:2

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

    I am like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child I am content.

You could also pray:

Lord you are here and I am here with you. Open the eyes of my heart to see and receive what you have for me today. Amen

Read

Grab your physical Bible and turn to Luke 19:1-10. We want to encourage you to use a physical Bible because it is far less distracting than a computer or your phone. Additionally, you can highlight and make marks of what the Lord is pointing out to you as you read his alive and active Word. 

If you don’t have a physical copy of the Bible readily available, here is a link to the Luke 19:1-10 text.

Background

One of the first things we learn in this story is that Zacchaeus is a tax collector. For those of us who do not live in first-century Palestine, tax collectors were utterly despised by Jews because they had sold out to the Roman occupiers. Tax collectors were required to charge a specific tax amount, but they would often require citizens to pay more. This additional burden was how tax collectors became so wealthy. If a citizen didn’t want to pay––too bad. Tax collectors had the full backing of the Roman Empire and military to enforce their corrupt business practices. 

It’s a big deal that Zacchaeus is a tax collector. 

Additionally, it’s a big deal that Jesus shares a meal with him. In this first-century culture, sharing a meal with someone in their home is one of the most intimate demonstrations of a relationship. 

Reflect

Sight is a big part of this story. 

How many times do you notice the words see, saw, look, and looked? Why do you think that is?

One of the most shocking aspects of this story is that Jesus sees Zacchaeus, a sinful tax collector, but does not judge or condemn him like many would have expected the messiah to do. Instead, Jesus sees him, is moved by compassion and love, and asks for Zaccheaus to invite him over for a dinner party––a crazy turn of events. In the same way, God sees you. But far from being a gaze of terror or despair, God sees you in love. 

Notice Jesus’ desire to be with Zacchaeus before he had made any kind of repentant action. 

What does this communicate about God’s character? 

We serve a God who moves towards us––no matter where we are. We could be in the depths of sadness, making the wrong choices, or even up in a tree and God still sees us and longs for us to welcome him into our homes and hearts. 

Jesus publicly declared his intentions to have dinner with Zaccheaus. Jesus was not ashamed to be with Zacchaeus, and he is not ashamed to be with you! 

If Jesus were to walk up to you today and ask you to have him over, what would your response be?

Romans 2:4 notes how it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. How do you see that play out in this story? How have you seen that play out in your life?

Closing

Read the story one more time. But this time, put yourself in Zacchaeus’ shoes (or maybe sandals). What is Jesus’ invitation to you?

However you answered that question, take some time to bring that before the Lord. If you need to simply receive Jesus’ love, then ask for the grace and peace to do so. If there are certain things you need to turn away from, like Zacchaeus, ask the Lord for strength and courage.

Before you start

Set aside 15 minutes to walk through this guided reflection. 

Find a quiet place in your home, at a cafe, or at a park. Set your phone out of sight during this time. 

Take time to quiet your heart. Consider reciting Psalm 131:2

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

    I am like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child I am content.

You could also pray:

Lord you are here and I am here with you. Open the eyes of my heart to see and receive what you have for me today. Amen

Read

Grab your physical Bible. We want to encourage you to use a physical Bible because it is far less distracting than a computer or your phone. Additionally, you can highlight and make marks of what the Lord is pointing out to you as you read his alive and active Word. 

There are multiple passages, so you may want to mark your spot as you jump around. 

Turn first Matthew 26:31-35 and read it slowly.

Then turn to Luke 22:54-62 and read it slowly.

Finally, turn to John 21:15-19 and read it slowly. 

If you don’t have a physical copy of the Bible readily available, here is a link to the

Matthew 26:31-35 text

Luke 22:54-62 text. 

John 21:15-19 text

Background

The first passage from Matthew's gospel account takes place during the Last Supper. This was the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. Because this story is familiar to many of us, we can often forget that the disciples did not really know what was about to happen with Jesus. Jesus had predicted his death multiple times, but from those passages, it is very clear that it didn’t connect with the disciples that he was being serious. The disciples were convinced that Jesus was the messiah (the “promised one” in Hebrew). Many of them still thought that Jesus was going to establish a political kingdom that would challenge the Roman Empire and finally liberate the Jewish people from their oppression. Jesus willingly going to his death was not on their radar. So when Peter makes his bold profession, he likely didn’t know that in mere hours he would be put to the test. 

The second passage from Luke’s gospel account takes place shortly after the first passage. Here we see a very different Peter. In the first passage, Peter is bold and confident in his claim of total allegiance to Jesus. In this second passage, we see a Peter who completely falls apart out of fear.

The third passage from John’s gospel account takes place sometime in the forty days of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. Based on the response from Peter and John in this passage, it is likely that this was one of their first interactions with the risen Jesus. 

Reflect

In these passages, you see Peter go through a journey that might feel familiar. At first, we see Peter make a very bold statement about his faith. Peter probably meant what he said. However, notice in the Matthew passage how many times he says “I.” It seems as though Peter’s faith rests on his own strength to remain faithful. As hard as it may be to wrap our heads around, even faith is a gift from God. Faithfully following God isn’t easy, so we desperately need the power and strength of his Spirit to remain faithful. 

Have there been times in your life where you have made similar bold proclamations and decisions to follow Jesus with all your heart? 

In the Luke passage, we see Peter’s faith completely fall apart. As Jesus is on trial, Peter experiences a trial of his own. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter became very aware of the hostility toward Jesus and his followers. It’s interesting to note that Peter still followed Jesus to the site of the trial. He could have stayed home, but his dedication didn’t let him. However, when asked directly about his allegiance, Peter denied Jesus. How could that happen? How could he go from bold faith to overwhelming fear in a matter of hours? Just as Peter makes his final denial, it says that Jesus looked directly at him. 

Does this story feel familiar to you? Have there been times when you have been passionately following Jesus only to mess up in a huge way? What do you think Jesus’ facial expression was as he looked at Peter?

In the John passage, we see Jesus’ response to Peter. After Jesus' crucifixion and empty tomb, Peter went back to fishing. It is likely that Peter felt so disqualified from his denial of Christ that he no longer felt worthy to serve in Jesus’ movement. However, Jesus meets Peter in truth and love. Jesus invites Peter to share a meal with him on the shore. Remember from the Zacchaeus guided reflection that sharing a meal in ancient Jewish culture was a huge deal. It affirmed the relationship between the two parties. Jesus then asks Peter three times if he loves Jesus. This is significant because Peter denied Jesus three times. 

As you think about this scene, what is stirring in your heart and mind? Maybe take a few moments to put yourself in Peter’s position. Jesus is full of patience and grace. Whatever you’ve done in your past, he is there to forgive you and restore you! 

Closing

What is Jesus’ invitation to you?

However you answered that question, take some time to bring that before the Lord. If you need to simply receive Jesus’ love, then ask for the grace and peace to do so. If there are certain things you need to turn away from, like Peter, ask the Lord for strength and courage.

Before you start

Set aside 15 minutes to walk through this guided reflection. 

Find a quiet place in your home, at a cafe, or at a park. Set your phone out of sight during this time. 

Take time to quiet your heart. Consider reciting Psalm 131:2

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

    I am like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child I am content.

You could also pray:

Lord you are here and I am here with you. Open the eyes of my heart to see and receive what you have for me today. Amen

Read

Grab your physical Bible. We want to encourage you to use a physical Bible because it is far less distracting than a computer or your phone. Additionally, you can highlight and make marks of what the Lord is pointing out to you as you read his alive and active Word. 

Turn to 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 and read it slowly.

If you don’t have a physical copy of the Bible readily available, here is a link to the 

2 Corinthians 11:16-33 text

Background

As you read this passage, it is important to have some context on Paul. Before Paul was Paul, he went by the name of Saul. Saul was an important figure in the Jewish religious hierarchy of the day. Saul was so zealous (passionate) for the Jewish faith that he had a burning hatred for Christianity which he viewed as a heretical distortion of orthodox Jewish practice. Saul’s zeal led him to persecute Christians just as the baby Church was spreading. It was on a journey to inflict suffering among Christians in Damascus that Saul had an encounter with the living Jesus. Jesus directed Saul to go visit a Christian named Ananias to receive further instruction. Ananias was pretty hesitant to minister to Saul because of his reputation as a violent man, but Jesus appeared to Ananias to give him courage. Jesus told Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and show their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” And suffer Saul (now Paul) did! This passage you read is a list of the ways Paul suffered. 

Reflect

This is a very heavy passage when you truly consider the difficulties and physical suffering Paul endured. It is natural to ask how could a good and loving God cause one of his own to suffer like this? How would you respond to that?

This is a very difficult question to answer because of the multitude of things that must be considered like: What was God’s original intent for creation? How did the Fall introduce death and suffering into the world? What does God’s “love” mean? If God doesn’t intervene by taking us out of sin, does that mean he doesn’t love us? And the list could go on. These are also not small questions and you have the freedom to have them. 

But here are a few thoughts that ought to undergird this entire conversation around suffering. 

God is a good and loving God. He loves us so much that he was willing to be born into human suffering, live a life of suffering, and endure the greatest expression of suffering––the crucifixion. He identifies with our suffering because he also endured it. Jesus even says that he is with us always. Always means always. No matter the circumstances, he is present with us––even in our darkest moments of suffering. 

How does this change the way you view suffering? Does it bring you peace to know that Jesus fully knows what you feel? How have you experienced Jesus’ presence with you?

In a way that is hard to understand, God’s kingdom operates in a completely different way than the world. In God’s kingdom, suffering and death are actually pathways to life. This type of truth is what allows Paul to say things like, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21)

How have you experienced suffering in your life? Have you seen ways that God has breathed life through those experiences? How might God bring life out of those situations?

Lastly, we have hope! One of the most important tenets of our Christian faith is that Jesus has promised to return and restore all things. There is a day when God will make all things right, whole, and beautiful. There will be a day when sin and death no longer stain God’s creation. It is often in our suffering that we are most made aware of the hope that we have in the restoration of all things. In Jesus’ own words, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). 

How does this hope in the restoration of all things change your view of suffering? 

Closing

What is Jesus’ invitation to you as you think about suffering in your life? If you read more of Paul’s letters, you will see a man full of joy and hope. The bedrock of his joy and hope is the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus our Savior. 

However you answered that question, take some time to bring that before the Lord. If you need to simply receive Jesus’ love, then ask for the grace and peace to do so. If there are certain things you need to turn away from then ask the Lord for strength and courage. If you need energy and encouragement from Jesus to walk through a season of suffering, reach out and ask Him!