Invitations of Jesus Series: Episode 5 The Tax Collector

Hello, my walking friend! Are you on your way? Have you taken a few deep breaths to clear your mind and emotions so that you are ready to focus on Jesus? I hope so! Give yourself the gift of these 10 minutes walking with Jesus!

Today is the 5th episode in the Invitations of Jesus series and we are reflecting on Jesus’ invitation to be his friend.

Our verse to meditate on today is Revelation 3:20 NIV:

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.

Have you ever felt like an outcast? In today’s world, that is what we would call being canceled. As a follower of Jesus, you will probably feel cast out at some time in your life. Back when Jesus physically walked the earth, there were many groups that were considered outcasts. Those that had leprosy were outcast. That was a sad situation – through no fault of your own but because you had this dreaded, contagious, very visible disease, you were cast out from society. Tax collectors – now there was a group that was cast out. But, unlike the lepers, it was mostly of their own doing. The tax collectors were Jewish men who were hired by the Romans to collect taxes from their fellow Jews. Okay, most people are not fans of tax collectors, but these guys were especially disliked, maybe even hated. Not only would they collect the actual amount owed to the Roman government, but often they would inflate the bill and pocket the difference. Yikes! And yet, Jesus reached out to groups of people just like these. Jesus made it clear that he didn’t come to call the righteous (who are those people, anyway?) he came to call sinners to repentance. Even tax collector sinners. He invited them to be his friend, he invites you to be his friend! What an amazing, incredible blessing that Jesus, the creator of the universe, wants to be our friend!

Take a little time now to meditate on Revelation 3:20:

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.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? I was inspired to write a poem based on a story in the gospel of Mark about some outcasts. It is titled, The Tax Collector. You can read the poem, The Tax Collector, in my poetry devotional entitled, Invitations Poetry Devotional.  

To learn more about Zacchaeus’ story, read Luke 19:1-10 and for Matthew’s story, read Mark 9:9-13.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus’ invitation to be his friend, and what that means to us. 

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Lord,

You became an outcast to save me a sinner outcast from God. Thank you for all you have done for me. Your love is overwhelming!  Help me to remember this always. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus, the one who invites me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

When was the last time you felt like an outcast? Does it help to know that Jesus, too, was an outcast? Take some time to consider your answer now.

In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells a parable about a humble tax collector who understood he was a sinner in need of a savior. When did you first really come to realize that you were in need of a savior? Think of your answer now.

Have you ever felt the need to pray for someone or a group of people who were outcasts? What led you to pray for them? Take some time to remember and perhaps pray for them now.

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time Revelation 3:20:

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.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Good job, my friend! You did it! 10 minutes of walking and 10 minutes of walking with Jesus!  

Today’s podcast was adapted from my poetry devotional called Invitations. For information on this devotional, or any Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to LynneLeite.com.  You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another invitation from Jesus. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.