Why do we make it so difficult?

Luke 19- 1-3

He (Jesus) entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a

man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he

was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable

because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.

Bible Account: Luke 19- 4-5

So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see

Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your

house.”

Bible Account: Luke 19- 6-7

And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying,

“He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

Bible Account: Luke 19:8

Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my

possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of

anything, I will give back four times as much.”

Bible Account: Luke 19:9-10

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house,

because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has

come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

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Simple factsYou make an effort, He’s there.

Rev. 3:20

Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them,

and they will eat with me.

Simple factsYou make an effort, He’s there.You want to talk, He does too.

Great Theologian - Tracey Lawrence

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother

Proverbs 18:24

Simple factsYou make an effort, He’s there.You want to talk, He does too.

You’ve got a friend if you want one.

Transforming Friendship

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.”

-Luke 19:8

Simple factsYou make an effort, He’s there.You want to talk, He does too.

You’ve got a friend if you want one.You want to change, He’ll help you.

Feeling Lost/ Hopeless

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he,

too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save

that which was lost.”

Simple factsYou make an effort, He’s there.You want to talk, He does too.

You’ve got a friend if you want one.You want to change, He’ll help you.

You need rescued? He does that.

Why do we make it so difficult?