November 3

Luke 19
When Jesus decides to dine with Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the religious people are offended because He is in the company of a sinner.  When Jesus interacted with worldly people, partaking of their food and drink, the only people offended were the very ones who should have been following His example.  His actions were not a stumbling block to the sinners, but they were a stumbling block to the religious people.  He encourages His followers to be light and salt in the world.  However, if our light or salt doesn’t go beyond the saved, we are not fulfilling His edict.  In order to influence those still in darkness, we must go to where they are at, interacting with them with the same love and grace our Lord did.  Unfortunately, when we do this, there will be some of our very own who will look down on us, perhaps even condemning us for the company we keep.  Take heart!  For when you are being persecuted for doing this, know that you are in good standing with the Lord, even if you aren’t with some of your brothers and sisters in Christ.