Dads, kids grow up fast. If you blink you’ll miss it. One minute you’re teaching that little boy how to throw a baseball or cast a spinning reel, playing tea party with that little girl and attending dance recitals. The next thing you know you’re watching them speed off into the sunset on their honeymoon. 

We have only a certain amount of time with our kids. Therefore, maximize the moments that you’ve been given. Invest those moments well to reap the benefits decades, even generations from now.

Time and investment is the subject of this next episode in our salvation story. Nearing Jerusalem, Jesus’ listeners incorrectly supposed that the kingdom of God would appear immediately. So he told them the parable of a nobleman who went away to a far country, entrusting resources to his servants. When he returned, he rewarded those servants who were faithful, rejected those who were false, and exacted retribution on his foes. 

Jesus, the nobleman in our story, is coming back, though we don’t know the day or the hour. While we await his return and the consummation of his kingdom rule here upon the earth, Jesus has given us, his servants, a job to do along with the resources to do it. When he returns, we will be rewarded for faithfully applying his resources to the job that he commanded us to do. Therefore, invest well to maximize the time, talent, and treasure that Jesus has given you.

Who do you know that is so far from Jesus you can’t possibly imagine them ever darkening the doorway of a church? It could be an old high school friend who’s belligerent against the very idea of God, or a coworker whose cursing and off-color remarks would make a sailor blush, maybe a gay relative, or perhaps even your spouse. You can’t imagine that person ever getting saved.

That is just the kind of person that we read about in this episode of our salvation story. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Tax collectors were notorious fraudsters, gangsters who imposed their will on people by physical coercion. Worse than that, Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho, an important hub of commerce and trade. He was the worst of the worst. In addition to all of this, Zacchaeus was rich. Just two episodes ago Jesus had said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved. 

However, what is impossible with man is possible with God. Jesus intentionally sought out and radically saved the sinner Zacchaeus. That Zacchaeus was saved is evident from his radical transformation. He publicly declared that he would make restitution to those he had wronged and give half his possessions to the poor.

Luke uses this story to again answer Jesus’ question posed at the beginning of chapter 18, “Who are the ones that will be found faithful when the Son of Man comes? Who are the ones that will escape judgment? Who are the ones that will be saved?” The ones who will be found faithful when the Son of Man comes are those whose life gives evidence that they’ve been radically changed by Jesus.

There are a total of eight special telephone short-code numbers established by the Federal Communications Commission. These numbers provide callers quick and simple access to special services. For example, before you dig dial 811 for underground public utility location. 511 provides traffic and road conditions from the Department of Transportation. Though it’s now going out of use, dialing 411 connected the caller to directory assistance. From a very early age, you were probably taught to dial 911 in the event of an emergency. It’s important to call the correct number, especially when someone’s life might depend on it.

In our salvation story, we read about a blind beggar who makes a desperate call, crying out to Jesus that he might recover his sight. Despite being rebuked by others, the blind man persisted in his plea for mercy, recognizing Jesus as Messiah and Lord. Not only was the man healed of his blindness, he was eternally saved and followed Jesus. Luke uses this miracle story to again answer Jesus’ question posed at the very beginning of chapter 18, “Who is the one that will be found faithful when the Son of Man comes?” Those who desperately call out to Jesus, confessing him as Lord.

To "bet on something" means to wager something or stake something on the outcome of an uncertain event. Farmers have been out in the fields planting. They’re betting on a good harvest so they can pay for the seed, fertilizer, and equipment with hopefully some money left over to feed their family. You might be betting your retirement income on the stock market going up. Dad would joke with us kids that we were his retirement plan. He’s betting that we’ll take care of him in his old age. Maybe you put off doing yard work this weekend betting that it won’t rain when you finally get around to it later.

Have you ever made a bad bet?

Continuing in our salvation story we read that a rich ruler came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. This knowledgeable, religiously observant man was betting on his good works but Jesus hit him where it hurt; his wealth. Jesus always requires from us just that one earthly security upon which we might lean, that one thing that keeps us from following Him. 

The one who gives up everything and follows Jesus is the one who will be saved. To give up everything in this life to gain access to the blessings of His kingdom is the greatest wealth imaginable. It’s the best bet anyone could ever make.

As little 5-year-old Johnny scoots himself away from the dinner table he digs down deep into his trouser pocket, pulls out a crumpled ten-dollar bill, slaps it on the table, and exclaims, “Thanks Mom for the delicious meal!” 

His father looks at him quite puzzled and little Johnny, sensing his father’s confusion says, “Don’t worry Dad, I paid my portion of the monthly mortgage yesterday by direct deposit.”

That’s outrageous. These are things never heard from the lips of a child. Little children can’t comprehend the cost of maintaining a home nor do they possess the resources to contribute in any meaningful way. They simply receive daily provisions from a responsible adult.

As we continue our salvation story we read that Jesus welcomes the little children, declaring that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Turning and trusting in Jesus isn’t just for sophisticated adults. Heaven is full of little children. Not only that, Jesus goes on to say that everyone must receive the kingdom of God like a child. We contribute nothing. Luke includes this story about Jesus and the little children to show that these are the ones who will be found faithful when the Son of Man comes. These are the ones who will be saved, those who contribute nothing to their own salvation but only humbly receive.

Perhaps you’re familiar with those TV courtroom dramas like Hot Bench or Judge Judy. Maybe you remember The People’s Court that started it all. Real-life litigants would agree to have their small claims disputes settled by the Honorable Judge Joseph Wapner. Each party pleaded its case, insisting on the rightness of their cause before a binding judgment was rendered.

As we continue reading in our salvation story Jesus tells the parable of two men who approach the bench of the Divine Judge. One man, a well-respected Pharisee, proudly promoted his own righteousness. He was convinced that his behavior was morally upright. The other man, a despised tax collector, threw himself upon the mercy of the court. In a surprising verdict, the tax collector was the one who went home justified. 

Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which He declares a sinner righteous. But who is the person that God justifies? The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector reveals that trusting in one’s own righteousness is a losing argument. Jesus Christ is the propitiation, the satisfactory payment, for our sins. Only those who trust in Christ’s righteousness and not their own will be saved. These are the ones who will be found faithful when the Son of Man comes. This is the kind of faith that saves.

A study has revealed that 48% of Americans pray at least once a day. Most people pray for their own needs and even more pray for friends and family. Some people say they’ve prayed for a parking spot (7 percent), others for their favorite sports team to win a game (13 percent). Perhaps surprisingly, 21 percent of respondents in this study admitted they’ve prayed to win the lottery. Most people believe that God answers at least some of their prayers. Only 3 percent of those who pray say God answers none of them.

What should Christians ask God for and what prayer does he answer?

As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus teaches his disciples about being persistent in prayer. He tells the story of a widow who kept coming before a corrupt judge, demanding justice. Eventually, the judge granted her request. If a corrupt judge responds to the pleas of a lowly widow, how much more so will a good God grant justice to His people? 

Jesus’ parable on prayer immediately follows his teaching about the kingdom of God and the coming of the Son of Man. Because Jesus’ Second Coming is yet future, Christians are to faithfully endure by continually pleading with God in prayer, and he will give justice to them speedily. 

Since the days of the early church, Christians have pleaded with God in prayer that His kingdom come. So too, we should persistently pray for Jesus’ return, confident that He will answer the cries of His people.

"Fake it till you make it” means to project confidence and competence, even if you don't feel it, to achieve a goal or become someone you aspire to be. It's the idea that by acting as though you have the skills or qualities you desire, you can eventually acquire them through experience and practice. Yet this can be a tiring, even dangerous game to play.

In his letter to the Christians at Corinth, the Apostle Paul doesn’t fake it. He gets vulnerable about his personal struggles. There were some who looked down on Paul, suggesting that if he were truly an apostle he’d project strength. Instead, Paul boasted about his weaknesses because they taught him to rely not on himself but on God who raised Jesus from the dead.

This year during Holy Week we’ve been reflecting on Jesus’ journey, which Paul divided into three legs. The journey began with Jesus setting aside his rights and privileges as the Eternal Son of God, submitting to the plan of His Heavenly Father. The second leg of the journey led to his suffering, becoming obedient to death on a cross. Finally, it would end in his exaltation, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday, his resurrection from the dead. 

Paul compares his own spiritual journey to that of Jesus. In fact, it is the path marked out for all Christians. While we might be tempted to project confidence and competence, only in weakness and desperation can we truly experience God’s power. This is the most joyful journey.

In the summer of 2017 Amee and I took what we anticipated would be our last family vacation with all the kids. Our oldest child was in college, the next was entering his senior year of high school and we were headed back to the mission field. We wanted to make it memorable. So, we decided to take a road trip to Washington, DC. That’s 1603 miles of family bonding; site-seeing and picnicking along the way. But then the A/C went out in our 2001 Dodge Caravan. Our collective joy turned into 14 hours in the back of a minivan in the middle of July.

In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul describes his journey with Jesus. It all began when he counted everything as loss compared to the superior value of knowing Christ. Paul’s whole life purpose became the passionate pursuit of following Jesus. 

Such a journey might sound almost dreamy, even delightful. Indeed, the theme throughout the book of Philippians is joy. However, it wasn’t easy at all. Paul wrote his letter from prison. His dear friend Epaphroditus had nearly died. Yet, Paul came to know Christ more deeply through sharing in his sufferings. In fact, it was through sharing in his sufferings that Paul came to be more and more like Jesus.

Paul compares his own spiritual journey to that of Jesus Himself. In fact, it is the path marked out for all Christians. We haven’t been called to just believe in Jesus but also to suffer for his sake. Sharing in his sufferings makes up the second leg of this most joyful journey.

In our salvation story we’ve read that Jesus was on a journey. He had left the northern region of Galilee and was headed south toward Jerusalem. He was determined to go to Jerusalem because he knew that it was there where he would suffer and die according to the predetermined plan of God in order to offer himself up as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world. 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes three legs that marked Jesus' journey. First, it began with the setting aside of his divine prerogatives, submitting himself to the will of the Father. The second leg of the journey led to his suffering, becoming obedient to death on a cross. Finally, it would end in his glorious exaltation, being raised from the dead. 

Paul compares his own spiritual journey to that of Jesus. In fact, it is the path marked out for all Christians. During Holy Week we’ll consider these three legs of this most joyful journey.

We begin with Jesus setting aside his divine prerogatives. He submitted himself to the will of his Heavenly Father. So too, in Philippians 3 we read that Paul set aside anything that could have been considered personal gain for something so much better, knowing Christ. There is no more rewarding passion than pursuing greater intimacy with Jesus. 

To help us in that pursuit, God has commanded the practice of fasting. Christian fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food, we set it aside, for the purpose of greater intimacy with Christ. John Piper has said, “Fasting is when we hunger for God more than we hunger for the food God made us to live on.” If you are able, join us this week in a church-wide fast as we embark on this joyful journey together.