Our fallen nature has often swept humanity under the rug. That is what has happened time and time again. Sadly, history has a way of repeating itself and causing catastrophic pain, heartache, loss, death and bitterness that hardens the heart. The only answer to our pain is in Jesus.

He came to save, ” For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

 

This comes from the story of Zacchaeus in the book of Luke. 

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus entered Jericho  – willingly knowing exactly who he would find in a tree and that he would call him down and invite himself to his home. It was the day of salvation for Zacchaeus and his household. Did Zacchaeus wake that morning wondering about his soul? Could he have been wondering about collections he had yet to make that day? His role was tax collector, chief actually and it is stated that he was wealthy. Missing collecting would not be a good choice to keep his standing. However, scripture says that, “He wanted to see who Jesus was…” (v.3) and his curiosity stirred and up he went to, “See what he could see” (anyone remember that Sunday school song?). 

He saw Jesus and the best part of this story is that he was seen by Jesus. Zacchaeus was called a sinner by the people. How dare Jesus meet with a sinner. but he did. That is what Christ wants to do with all of us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus Came

Jesus Saw

Jesus Called

Jesus Loved

Jesus Saved a sinner

 He saved me

He see us all

We are not alone

There is hope

Today we remember the lives of so, so many precious children that lost their lives in residential schools here in Canada. We must see these children and remember their lives. To ignore this reality attempts to put aside these children and the families. We remember on purpose to acknowledge what has happened and that it never happens again. I can’t change what happened but I can remember, act and get involved to serve the hurting.

This is a dark history layered with pain, disastrous leadership, tears, questions, anger, deep sadness and hopelessness. Today ,what I want to convey is hope. The hope that Christ brings. He sees you, he knows you, he loves you and that is worth putting aside what could be done today and come to him with your hurt and unforgiveness or whatever it is that has a hold on you. Zacchaeus did not know how much he needed Christ, but he did! A personal encounter with the Son of God. Jesus may not meet you at the bottom of a tree you climbed, but he is waiting for you to receive his love!

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20).

There is deep hurt today from the grievous loss of children. Many are choosing to allow Christ to do a miracle in their heart and forgive. I have highlighted Hugo Hester before in an email to subscribers, but today I must share the story he tells about how he has chosen to forgive after his experience in a residential school years ago.

Hugo Hester has a story to tell. He felt God nudged him to share his pain through the time he lived at a residential school. I can hardly watch without tears. The horror of his story is brutal, just brutal. He took a flight to ‘somewhere’ on his own and his parents had to watch him leave. I don’t know who determined that this was humane. The hardness and evil that lurks in the heart of power hungry people is beyond what we can even imagine possible. He was in Brantford, Ontario. My son goes to school there now. Many don’t know the history and today we continue as a nation to share the truth of residential schools.

So now, 43 years later he wants to go back and forgive. Please listen/watch his heartfelt story of forgiveness.

HOW CAN HE FORGIVE?

“I believe forgiveness opens up things that are beautiful in your personal life, that’s what happened to me” – Hugo Hester

 

100 Huntley has done a wonderful job of covering stories for our nation and the world to hear. We must pray, act, support and most importantly LISTEN to the stories of hurt so healing can continue. That is my hope. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – 100 Huntley Street

 Orange Shirt Day/First Peoples Voices – 100 Huntley Street

Residential School Survivors Stories – 100 Huntley Street

Reignite Hope Tour

 

Oh God Forgive Us – For King and Country

We all need forgiveness…Jesus was sent to die for our sins! He took the place on the cross. He died, rose again and is preparing a place for us. His arms are wide open today!