Growing up in Ghana, there are few occasions churches get filled up. One of such is 31st night services. Many churches tag these services as Crossover, Passover, Watch night etc. Usually Absenteeism members and non-members flood the church and if you are a regular habitual latecomer, you will either sit at the back or stand through the service. Usually, the regular latecomers who are frustrated by the fact that they cannot get a chair to sit on vent their anger on the absenteeism members and the non-members who only show up on 31st night. This scenario reminds me of Jesus’ encounter with Zacheus, a tax collector. Being a tax collector gave Zacheus the brand of being a sinner because he was collecting money from his own people and giving it to the Romans. Zacheus was short in stature and when he heard Jesus was passing through, he could only catch a glimpse of Jesus by climbing a sycamore-fig tree. But the interesting thing happened: “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”(Luke 19:5). Jesus left the “righteous” crowd to feast in the house of a “sinner”. 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.”(Luke 19:8) Zacheus, overwhelmed by the love shown to him by Jesus, made a resolution: “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.”(Luke 19:8). Jesus’ reply was, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”(Luke 19:9-10). The overwhelming love shown by Jesus to Zacheus, led to the salvation of Zacheus. The man who was branded a sinner made a resolution that brought salvation to his house. Today, resolve not to be a judge of people who turn up in church. Do not ask questions about “why they have not been to church”. Welcome them with open arms and show them the love of God. How we treat people today can lead to a good resolution or a bad resolution. Remember, the church is the Lord’s. Jesus would have told that person: “come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Do not cast out those that the Lord is determined to save. Our new year resolutions should include soul winning and that starts today! I take this opportunity to appreciate you for constantly taking time to read my posts. If these posts have been a blessing to you, please share with others. My prayers for you as we start 2022 are as follows: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” (3 John 1:2) “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26) “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:16-21) Blessed New year to you. Your sister, Mary Agronah
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