December 31: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   December 31, 2025

Living for Eternity: Our decisions today impact our eternal future with God.

Wednesday Verse

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

How can I live with a greater sense of eternity in mind? In what ways can I align my daily choices with the understanding that my decisions today impact my eternal future with God?

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

The story of Zacchaeus is really cool. Every time I read it, I envision Danny Devito (from the Jersey Mike’s commercials) trying to see over the crowd and then frantically climbing the tree to see and hear Jesus. Zacchaeus is an unlikely spectator – he is hated by most of the people because his enormous wealth has come by collecting taxes for Rome in heavy-handed and unscrupulous ways. No one expected him to be the least bit interested in Jesus. We can surmise that Zacchaeus felt convicted about his life choices and was hungry to change.

Jesus did the unexpected, too, by acknowledging the despised man and then inviting Himself to his home! If Jesus had publicly chastised him, the crowds would have cheered, but to treat him with some respect was not approved of at all. Some probably saw this as Jesus’ befriending someone who could financially support His work, which was a risk Jesus was willing to take for the sake of His mission. Jesus said He came “to seek and save those who are lost” Luke 19:10 (NLT), and that includes all who are lost. Jesus could tell that Zacchaeus was genuinely seeking, and He was willing to risk His public reputation to help him become a follower. The clear evidence that he did was an immediate and unscripted declaration,

“I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”  Luke 19:8 (NLT)

The one who would probably have been voted least likely to be interested in Jesus becomes a radically transformed follower. This is a great reminder to never underestimate what God is and can do in people around us!

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org