Grace Isn’t Just a Word
Insights From Vacation Bible School
Living the Fruit of Repentance
Zacchaeus and the Second Helping of Grace
“Gather around, children,” Miss Marla said. “It’s story time.”
Buck perked up immediately—he loved stories, especially ones that had action or adventure.
That day’s tale was about a wee little man named Zacchaeus who climbed a tree just to see Jesus.
When Jesus stopped, looked up, and called Zacchaeus by name, He didn’t scold him.
He invited Himself over for dinner.
Zacchaeus, the town cheat, didn’t clean himself up before meeting Jesus—he simply responded to grace.
By the end of the story, he was giving away half his wealth and paying back those he’d wronged fourfold.
Buck frowned. “Why would anybody do that?”
Because grace changes everything.
Grace Applied
Zacchaeus didn’t buy grace; grace bought him.
He didn’t earn a new heart by good deeds—his good deeds flowed from a new heart.
That’s the beauty of grace when it’s applied, not just admired.
It’s not a word we say before meals. It’s the breath we live between sin and forgiveness, between falling and being lifted again.
When grace is only something we receive, it stops short.
When grace becomes something we live, it bears fruit.
Jesus called it “fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)
Repentance isn’t about groveling; it’s about turning—away from self, toward Love.
It is having the Mind of Christ, a son who knows He is the Beloved.
And grace is what makes the turning possible.
The Sap in the Vine
I used to think I could will myself into being better—more loving, more disciplined, more patient.
But I can’t produce fruit.
I can only stay connected to the Vine and let His life flow through me.
It’s not my effort that produces love; it’s His life within me.
Grace is the sap that carries His nature into every branch.
Gratefulness alone doesn’t grow fruit.
Connection does.
Reflection
How have you been trying to earn what grace has already given?
What does “fruit in keeping with repentance” look like in your life right now?
How can you let God’s grace flow through you—not just to you?
Prayer
Abba Father, thank You for grace that doesn’t just forgive—it transforms.
Keep me connected to You, the true Vine. Let my life bear the fruit of Your Spirit, not from striving, but from abiding. Amen.