Communications

Kahu Wendell Davis
Direct Office Line: 982-0012
Email: wedavis@ksbe.edu
Room: -- Check-in at the Administration Office --

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A GLIMPSE

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.  A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. –Luke 19:1-4

Throughout our islands, we are blessed with beautiful cliffs that majestically reach towards the sky.  The “pali” is a steep hill  or slope.  For our Hawaiian ancestors, the pali also carried a symbolic meaning.  At times, the hö’ailona (symbol, sign) of the pali referred to a place from which the “spirits of the dead” took their final leap into the “Pö” (eternity).  The pali also symbolized the height and separation between two people within the social circle of ‘ohana (family) of which ho’oponopono (conflict resolution) would provide a remedy to restore harmony in the relationship.  The pali is a special place and for anyone that is able to climb its summit, a blessing awaits.   Despite its steep slopes and imposing cliffs, the pali provides the wonderful opportunity to embrace the visionary beauty of our islands.  A special gift to the beholder.

In our scripture reading, we learn of a man named, Zacchaeus.  He was a wealthy man and a tax collector that “sold out” his own people.  He was also a short man.  When Jesus was coming into town, Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and wanted to see Him.  As the crowd gathered, Zacchaeus couldn’t see above the crowd, so, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree.  Jesus is heading towards his ultimate destiny of being betrayed, sentenced, crucified and resurrected three days later. Yet, on the way, He knows that there’s another life to be touched, so, by divine purpose, Jesus proceeds through the town.  On His way, Jesus looks up to see Zacchaeus and says, “Zacchaeus, come on down!  I need to go to your house and stay there today.” (Luke 19:5)

Here’s the point!  Jesus understood what Zacchaeus needed---and all of us, too.  We need Jesus to move in and completely “revolutionize” our lives.  This is what the Gospel is all about.  It is to introduce into our lives the One who comes to change us and make us who God has called us to be.   Jesus wants to live in you.  He doesn’t just want to “dwell” in you, He wants to make Himself at home in your heart and “run” your house.  He wants to move in and settle down in you.  The problem is we don’t want Him to make Himself at home in our hearts because He’ll see the “junks” we have stored. 

If you are frustrated and tried to live a Christian life, I’ve come to tell you to quit trying.  Don’t misunderstand this, we need to keep striving everyday to walk by faith, live by God’s Word and surrender to His divine will, but, we can’t do it by ourselves.  It’s impossible!  The harder you try, the more you’ll fall flat on your face.  Jesus is the only successful person that ever lived the “Christian” life, but, the good news is that Jesus offers to live His life in us.  God never asked you to be a Christian on your own power, but, He expects you to “yield” your body to Christ as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

Why?  So, He can express His perfect love, power and holiness through you.  You can’t do it on your own strength, but, when you let Jesus express His life through you, there’s nothing you cannot do.  Give me the fingers of Gabby Pahinui and there’s no slack key song I can’t play.  Give me the creative mind of Michelangelo and there’s no art that I cannot express. Give me the life of Jesus Christ and there’s no victory I cannot achieve.

I want to encourage someone reading this devotional to climb your “pali”.  You can’t see Him if you’re hidden in the wrong crowd.  Rise above the crowd and get a glimpse of Jesus.  Make your climb today because there is an encounter you don’t want to miss.  Then, let Him into your heart and give Him the “run” of your house.  When you do, I promise that you will witness God do “immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

Ka Ho’opili Iesu,

Kahu