Zaccheus

What would it be like to hear the story of Jesus and Zaccheus (Luke 19: 1- 10) for the first time?

If you grew up going to Sunday School, you probably know this and other classic bible stories almost by heart. But the audience of Afghani, Iranian and Arabic speaking refugees who have been coming to the Wednesday evangelistic nights at the Oasis , recently heard about Zaccheus and other stories from the Gospel of Luke for the first time.

Volunteers from the Iranian and Arabic Churches in Vienna give up their time to translate the talks into the refugees’ mother tongues, and stay around afterwards to answer their questions over coffee and cake.” Circles of refugees forming around the translators, asking them questions about Jesus, and his assumed authority over who is able to get into heaven.

Although refugees are sometimes proud, despite their difficult lives, they are seeking rest for their souls. When life’s complications are taken from them, many are more open to attending to that longing within to live freely and lightly despite their circumstances

Jesus said to him, “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