Today’s meditation is based on Galatians 4:7, “Now you are not slaves like before. You are God's children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.” (ERV)
As Paul addressed the believers in the church at Galatia, he reminded them that they were no longer slaves. He prompted them to keep in mind that though they were once slaves, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, they had been made children of God.
Many of us have not understood our calling, the transformation that the Lord has wrought in our lives, and the kind of lives that we are expected to lead. If we do not comprehend this truth fully, we will continue to live like slaves, though we are children of God.
I want to high light two words from this passage, one is the word ‘slave’ and the other the word ‘son.’ There is a huge difference between a slave and a son. A slave can never do anything he wants to, but must do everything as his master bids him to. On the other hand, a child is free, and has rights to all that his father possesses. So also, while we were living as slaves, God the Father sent His only Son Jesus into this world, to set us free from this bondage to slavery. Anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus has been given the rights to become the son and daughter of God.
We must examine our lives to see whether we are living as slaves, or as a son or daughter of God. Certainly we can only be either one of these, either a slave or a child of God. Only when we fathom this call of God for our lives, and the changes that God has brought about, will we be able to hold on to this position as children of God, and live a victorious life, so that God is magnified.
The rich man who sought Jesus
In Luke 19 we read about a man named Zacchaeus.
In Luke 19:1-2, we read, “Jesus went on into Jericho and was passing through. There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich.” (GNB)
Zacchaeus was a man who held a high position as a chief tax collector, and he was also a wealthy man. Though Zacchaeus was a Jew, he worked for the Roman government, and was employed by them to collect taxes from the Jewish people. Also like most of the tax collectors in his day, Zacchaeus used to collect more money than was due from the people, kept some for himself, and gave the rest to the Roman authorities. If we were to describe the life of Zacchaeus, we can say that he was a slave to money.
Money is a necessary asset for us to lead our lives here on earth. Nonetheless, if the love of money takes hold of someone, it becomes their master, and they will become its slave, and do exactly what this love for money dictates to them. No wonder then that the word of God cautions us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. We should be cautious to see that money is just something that is useful to us, and not one that makes us its slaves.
There are those who are slaves to obtaining a good name from others. These people will often keep their families in want, and be generous with outsiders, only because they are desperate to have good reputation with people outside. Then there are those who are slaves to the positions they hold. Sometimes, you will notice this when they advertise this on the front or rear of the vehicles they drive. What they tend to forget is that none of the positions they hold on earth is permanent. They will receive respect from others only as long as they hold that position. All of these forms of slavery will bring misery to people, and never truly satisfy us.
Zacchaeus sought after Jesus
Though Zacchaeus was a rich man, there was some sort of emptiness in his life, and was not content with his life.
This is what Zacchaeus did as recorded in Luke 19:3, “Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree.” (CEV)
When Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector heard about Jesus, he perceived that Jesus was different to all the religious leaders of his time. Jesus lived differently, and there was authority in His teaching. Moreover, there was no disparity between the words and deeds of Jesus. Zacchaeus was therefore curious to see who Jesus was.
Most probably, Zacchaeus must have observed the hypocrisy that was prevalent among the religious leaders. Jesus strongly condemned this, because they only made a show of their religiosity before people, and did not truly obey, and were unaware that God perceived their inmost thoughts, and the condition of their hearts. It was not surprising therefore, that Jesus referred to them as white washed tombs.
Zacchaeus was so motivated with this desire to see Jesus that he ran ahead of the crowd. As per the Jewish culture, a man of high-standing like Zacchaeus would never run this way. It would be deemed inappropriate for the position they held. However, the zeal to see Jesus was so strong in Zacchaeus, that he ran full speed ahead, and climbed on to a tree, just to get a glimpse of Jesus.
Anyone who desires so strongly to see Jesus as Zacchaeus did, can be certain that they will receive an appropriate response from God.
The unexpected invitation
We read in Luke 19:5-6, “When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today." Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus.” (CEV)
As Jesus approached the place where Zacchaeus was sitting perched up on a tree, He looked up and told Zacchaeus that He would come to his home that day. The Pharisees and Sadducees in Jesus’ day looked with contempt on the tax collectors, and considered them sinful men. However, Jesus perceived the heart of Zacchaeus, and saw things no one else could. Zacchaeus hurried down from the tree, and joyfully received Jesus into his home. Those who observed this, thought that Jesus probably did not perceive that Zacchaeus was a sinful man. Though Jesus knew that the people were annoyed with Him and criticized him, He did not let it bother Him.
Just like Zacchaeus anyone who truly seeks after God will most certainly find Him. In this world we will have people who will speak ill of us and criticize us, but we must continue the work that God has entrusted to us, and persevere to fulfill His calling for our lives. When we do so, God will stand beside us and help us complete the task He has committed to us.
The total transformation
When Jesus entered Zacchaeus’ house this is what happened, Luke 19:8, “Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated."” (CEV)
Zacchaeus who was curious to just see who Jesus was now acknowledging that He was the Lord. The one who ruled and had authority over his life. There was a major change in Zacchaeus who from being an avaricious man who wanted to have more and more, was now wanting to give away half of his wealth to the poor, and was ready to pay back four times everyone whom he had cheated. It was at this point that Zacchaeus was totally freed from his slavery to money. When Jesus entered Zacchaeus’ house, he was completely rid of his slavery.
Irrespective of what your bondage is, the Lord is able to set you free from every form of slavery, if you ask Him to. The Lord Jesus will free you from being a slave to becoming his son or daughter. If you are aware of some area where you are enslaved to something, sincerely seek the Lord and He will break every form of bondage.
The amazing restoration
We read in Luke 19:9, “Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham.” (CEV)
Notice how the Lord referred to Zacchaeus as the son of Abraham. Zacchaeus was reversed from being a slave to becoming a son once again. This was indeed an amazing transformation that took place in Zacchaeus.
The Lord can break every bondage and every form of enslavement, any of which is never for our good. Seek the Lord to set you free so that you too can be restored back to being a child of God, instead of being a slave to sin. This was Paul’s reminder to the church in Galatia, that they were once slaves, but now had been set free to become children of God. This thought must be topmost in our minds for only then will we live like children of God. We will see changes in the way we talk, in the way we conduct ourselves, and most certainly in our priorities.
The woman who was oppressed
Here’s another incident that I would like to highlight to you which took place when Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath day.
We read in Luke 13:10-11, “One Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a Jewish meeting place, and a woman was there who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. She was completely bent over and could not straighten up.” (CEV)
As Jesus taught there was a huge crowd that was listening to Jesus, and among them was a woman who was so bent that she could not look up at anyone. She was bent over this way for eighteen years, and the reason for her predicament was she was oppressed by an evil spirit. It really astounds us that in spite of her physical weakness, she was found in the synagogue. This woman might have been ridiculed by some, and her condition itself must have wearied her much. Nonetheless, she was seeking God, and was found to be in the synagogue not being tired out by her situation.
Often times when we have some physical ailments, we only look at them from a physical point of view, and don’t find solutions. Let us keep in mind that sometimes these ailments are also because of the oppression of the evil one in our lives. Unlike the woman who was in the synagogue in spite of her predicament, there are so many who make numerous excuses for not attending church.
The miraculous healing
We read in Luke 13:12-13, “When Jesus saw the woman, he called her over and said, "You are now well." He placed his hands on her, and right away she stood up straight and praised God.” (CEV)
This woman must have attended the synagogue for many long years, but none took note of her or doesn’t look like anyone could help her in any way. On that day Jesus called her over, placed His hands on her, and spoke healing over her. Immediately, she straightened up and gave glory to God. This healing that Jesus brought about was instantaneously.
The profound restoration
We read in Luke 13:16, “This woman that I healed is a true descendant of Abraham. But Satan has held her for 18 years. Surely it is not wrong for her to be made free from her sickness on a Sabbath day!" (ERV)
As we read the above mentioned verse that Satan had bound the woman for eighteen long years so that she could not stand straight. The Lord Jesus recognized this bondage, and He re-iterated that that woman was a daughter of Abraham too.
It is important that we be restored to becoming the sons and daughters of God. However, what is even more crucial is that we comprehend the blessings that are ours as children of God. The Lord has set us free from slavery, and we have been transformed to be sons and daughters of God, but if we fail to understand our privileges, we will continue to live like slaves.
There are many who are contented to remain with their physical ailments, not realizing that God is a loving Father, who only intends good for His children. Just as the Lord healed that woman who was wearied with her condition for eighteen long years in just a second, He is able to deliver us and heal us from all our sicknesses and bondages. The Lord is able and willing to liberate us if we ask Him to.
In one place Jesus refers in Matthew 15 to the healing he would offer as the bread that should be given to children. No good parent will withhold food from their child when he or she is hungry. If we as earthly parents are so mindful and loving to our children, will not our heavenly Father grant us all that we desire of Him? As children of God the health and healing for our bodies is God’s blessings showered on us. It is God’s will that we be well, and let us receive it from the Lord’s hand. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can pray and ask Him for healing reminding ourselves that we are not slaves, but sons and daughters of God.
In closing let me summarize what I have shared. We looked at Zacchaeus who though a Jewish man, was considered an enemy to his own people. The Lord Jesus met him, and restored him to become a son again. Then there was this woman who was oppressed for eighteen longs years by Satan, but the Lord graciously healed her, and restored her to become a daughter of Abraham again.
May God help us to live as children of God, understanding the rights and privileges that are ours. As we pray and seek the Lord, He will heal us, set us free from all our bondages, and enable us to live as His sons and daughters. Let us be reminded of this truth from John 8:36, “So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.”(ERV)
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
