"Armor Hot Dogs"

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today." Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost." (Luke 19:1-10 NLV).

Everyone possesses his or her own unique desires, attitudes, and abilities. We are all individuals. The world knows this and emphasizes it. Do you recognize the following jingles?

 “Hot dogs - what kind of kids eat armor hot dogs, fat kid’s, skinny kids, kids that climb on rocks, tuff kids, sissy kid’s, even kids with chicken pox.” Or
 “Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders won’t upset us, all we ask is that you let us serve it your way….”

Of course these little commercial jingles are easily recognized. They have a very important message. The business world has come to realize that because of the immense nature of our individuality, especially in America, success means meeting the needs of everyone. Virtually every aspect of modern thought is consumed with individuality. Legislation that secures the rights of the individual above all else is now most common. Judicial rulings increasingly use the same standard as their ultimate aim: that of placing the needs, desires, hopes, and dreams of the individual as the centerpiece of modern society.

God cares about us as individuals also. The story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus is a great example of His love for one man just as he was. So often today we come away from church or Bible study with the feeling that we must conform to a set of rules or laws in order for God to love us. That is simply not the truth. Jesus desires to meet us where we are now in our individual lives. He has a specific plan for each of us. When He stopped on the road and addressed Zacchaeus, Jesus was revealing the plan of God for all men. First, He wants all of us to be saved. And, second, He wants all of us to be a part of His family. Regardless of where you have been, or what you have done God desires to come to you today. No matter how many times you may have “failed” in life, God desires to be a Father to you.

Perhaps you have been looking for that kind of acceptance, however you don’t feel like you can measure up to the standards set by others. I have good news for you today! Jesus has already “measured up” to all of the standards for you. Isn’t it time you came down out of your tree and experience the warmth of God’s loving grace today!