Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – November 23, 2016

luke19-10

Zechariah 12:1-10; Ephesians 1:3-14; Luke 19:1-10

“The Lord will give salvation.” God pours out his mercy and grace upon the least likely of people. Lowly Jerusalem and Judah, supposedly easy pickings for all of the surrounding countries, received God’s salvation. Zacchaeus, a detestable tax collector for the empire who had conquered all of those countries, also received God’s salvation. All who are lost, whether in their wealth or in their sins, are more likely candidates to receive salvation than we might imagine.

People often grumble when great sinners are recipents of God’s gracious salvation. He is a sinner! He doesn’t deserve it. And of course, they are right. But redemption comes to undeserving sinners through the riches of God’s grace, not through national or religious birthright, or because of our merit before God. It is the shed blood of Christ that brings salvation to all of those improbable people whom God has determined to adopt as sons. This salvation through Jesus Christ, extended to the most implausible persons—even those such as us—is the purpose of God’s will.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, your will be done. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Mark Ryman, Communications Coordinator for the NALC and Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Advance, NC. 

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