Pastor Rodney Howard Browne shows us that Jesus shows
mercy to sinners. Luke 19:2-9 tells the story of Jesus
meeting a sinner. As He walked along a road, He saw a
man named Zacchaeus sitting up in a tree. He said, “Come down,
Zacchaeus. Let’s go to your house.” You might feel stuck way up
in a tree right now, but I want you to know that Jesus will show
up and say, “Come on down; let’s go to your house.” And believe
me, when you experience Jesus’ unconditional love and compassion,
you will do what Zacchaeus did — drop everything and go
with Jesus!
Jesus will raise us from the dead. In Mark 5:22-24 and 35-
43, Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue, fell down in the
dusty road at Jesus’ feet and said, “My daughter is sick at home.”
Jesus went with Jairus to his home, but before they got there, they
heard that she had died. Jesus told Jairus to continue believing,
and because He walked into that house, the young girl was raised
from the dead. When Jesus shows up, Me brings new life!
Look at Luke 7:11-15. Jesus found a funeral procession
outside the city of Nain. He called the boy right up out of the coffin
and gave him back to his mother. When Jesus shows up, He’ll
raise the dead!
He came to the tomb where His dear friend Lazarus had
been dead for four days. Lazarus’ sisters were grieving. “Master,”
they said, “if You’d come earlier, this would not have happened.
He’s dead now and stinketh.” But what happened when Jesus
showed up? He said, “Roll away the stone.” And then He said,
“Lazarus, come forth!” And he did!
You might be right in the middle of a situation where you
have no hope, where things you’ve been believing and trusting
God for look dead. They look like they’re buried in the tomb,
stinking. But I want you to know that the same Jesus who walked
the shores of Galilee two thousand years ago comes to you and
says, “Roll away the stone and come forth!” Hallelujah! He
brings life!
It doesn’t matter what your circumstances are. When Jesus
comes on the scene, impossible situations can be turned around.
It doesn’t matter what the devil says. It doesn’t matter what other
people say. When Jesus walks in the door, everything changes.
When Jesus walks in the door, there’s no more argument. There’s
no more question, for He is the Answer How can there be a question
remaining when He is the Answer?
When Jesus walks in the door, there’s no more loss of
direction. How can there be a loss of direction when He is the
way? When He walks in the door, there are no more lies. How can
there be lies when He is the truth? When He walks in the door,
there’s no more death. How can there be death when He is the
life? (See John 14:6.)
What happens when you’ve been in your boat all night
fishing, but have caught nothing? You’ve fished and you’ve
fished — and you know how to fish because you’re a fisherman
by trade — but you’ve caught absolutely nothing. Then Jesus
shows up and gives you clear direction: “Cast your nets on the
other side.” (See John 21:1-6.)
You might be a minister of the Gospel and you’ve been
fishing for souls all your life. You’ve been fishing for years in
Podunk Hollow but you’ve caught no fish. Jesus comes to you
now and says, “Cast your nets on the other side.” Watch in wonder
as hundreds of fish jump into your net!