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#1242. Join with Jesus in seeking to save the lost (14/3/24)

Writer: Matt BeaneyMatt Beaney

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (Posted each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series. 


From Luke 19:8-10, let’s reflect on how Jesus invites us to join His mission of seeking and saving the lost. 


You can listen to this devotional below 



‘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.”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.”’ (Luke 19:8-10)

This passage reveals Jesus’ relentless pursuit of the unlikely. Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, pledges radical generosity—proof of a heart transformed. Jesus affirms this with a stunning declaration: “Today salvation has come.” His mission, He says, is to “seek and save the lost”—and that mission continues through us. Are we expectant, praying to meet today’s Zacchaeuses who, maybe through trials, maybe because they heard a podcast, they had a conversation, or maybe they simply cannot put their finger on it, but they have a new thirst for spiritual things. 


Jesus is the Good Shepherd, tirelessly gathering His flock. In John, He declares: 


“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). 

Zacchaeus was one such sheep. His desire to see Jesus was no accident—it was Jesus calling him home, just as He once called you.


Here’s the twist, as I heard someone say recently:  “The gospel came to you because it was on its way to someone else.” This gem of a phrase reminds us that the Shepherd works through us. Your salvation isn’t the end—it’s a step in His plan to reach others. Each day, we’re invited to join Jesus in seeking the lost, embodying what we at CCP call “SIV”—Serve, Invest, and Invite. Like Jesus, we serve our communities, invest in “people of peace” where the Spirit is stirring, and invite them into our lives, our church, or onto something like The Alpha Course etc. 


Reflection and Prayer

  • Do I grasp that Jesus wants to seek and save the lost through me and His church?

  • Am I praying daily for the Holy Spirit to fill and guide me in this mission?


Let’s step out with expectation, partnering with the Shepherd to bring His sheep home.

 

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

Important notice, please be praying for our current gift days. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 


3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.


4. Study and pray together.

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.


On Sunday, we explored Luke 19:1-10, where Jesus seeks out Zacchaeus, a man considered ‘lost,’ and brings transformation to his life. Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost, and He invites us to join Him in this mission.


Please read Luke 19:1-10 and discuss: 

  • Personal reflection - Did God speak to you through Sunday’s message in a way that could encourage others?

  • Becoming a Christian – What does Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus teach us about how someone comes to faith?

  • Life Transformation – What changes do we see in Zacchaeus after meeting Jesus? How does this reflect the transformation that happens when someone truly follows Christ?


SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

  • Mission inspiration from the text - What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ mission and our role in it?

  • Share Stories – Have you had any recent experiences of Serving, Investing, or Inviting someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another.

  • Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Spend some time discussing and praying for those you regularly engage with, including any ‘people of peace’ in your life. 


Let’s pray together: 

  • Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other 




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