One of the biggest pet peeves of a parent or coach is seeing an athlete work on moves and concepts in practice without trying them in the game.
Too often, we let fear get in our way when we do have to. Greatness is on the other side of fear, but we have to have the courage to try new things and even do things afraid.
Jesus shared a parable with Zacchaeus and others about the importance of doing what we can with what we have.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector and was considered a trader and thief. The tax collectors were hated by the Jews because they collected money from the Jews and gave it to the Romans, often stealing money from the Jews.
Zacchaeus was so good at stealing money that the Romans named him the chief tax collector of all of Jericho. He had all the money but no friends, honor, and respect.
One day, he heard Jesus, a healer, miracle worker, and possible Messiah was coming to town, and he went to see him.
When he got to Jesus, there was a huge crowd surrounding Jesus, and the only way Zacchaeus could see him was by climbing a fig tree.
When he got to the top, Jesus stopped, looked up at Zacchaeus, and yelled, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” The Bible says Zacchaeus hurried and came down and received him joyfully.
While the people around started to grumble saying, “He [Jesus] has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner,” Jesus shared a parable in Luke 19:12-27:
He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
“His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
“‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
“He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’
Mina was Roman money and in this parable, serves as a symbol of opportunity and responsibility in the parable. It represents the potential for growth and the expectation to use your talents and resources wisely.
Here are my two takeaways from the story of Zacchaeus:
1 - Seek God
Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus, and because of his bravery, Jesus asked to come to his home. What a blessing! Just imagine all the blessings waiting for us if we do what it takes to seek God.
2 - Use What God Gave You
In the parable, God gave more to the people who did what they could with what was given them, and he took from the person who was afraid and did not do what he could. We don’t have to be perfect, but we do need to do what we can with what we have.
So often, we let fear get in our way, but if we do, we are blocking our own blessings like the man in the story who did nothing with his one mina. Instead of being afraid and doing nothing with what you have, be brave and do what you can, and trust that God will take care of the rest.
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT
1 - What is your biggest takeaway from this post?
2 - What is a talent or responsibility you can or need to do more with?
3 - What can you do today to put yourself in a position to maximize that talent, potential, or responsibility?
4 - What is one fear or barrier in your way? Pray and seek God so that you can determine what your next steps need to be and so that you have the course to take them.
My Prayer
Our Father, thank you for all the blessings you have given me. I pray that I am able to recognize the talent and potential you have given me and do as much with it as possible. Please give me the courage to do what I need to do to honor you, and please help me seek you first in everything I do. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
For a printable PDF version of this post, click here: Zacchaeus: The Power of Potential and Faith
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