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When Jesus spoke these words, he had just transformed the life of a man everybody had written off. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, known for his dishonesty and greed. In the eyes of the people, he was beyond saving. Yet Jesus did not see him as a hopeless case. He saw a heart in need of redemption. You see tax collectors were among the most unpopular people in Israel. Jews by birth, who chose to work for Rome were considered traitors.
When Jesus said that he was going to be a guest at his home, the people were displeased. Jesus loved him and made that known by pointing out two facts about Zacchaeus that shocked the hearers. First, Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham and yet was lost. So acknowledging that this unpopular tax collector was a Jew. Second, the hearers did not like admitting that a son of Abraham could be lost.
What the people and we need to understand is that a person is not saved because of a good heritage, or condemned by a bad one; saving faith is not determined by geneaology. Jesus came to save all the lost, regardless of background or a previous way of life. We are not saved because we figured out how to reach God. We are saved because God in Christ reached down to us.
He knew we were lost, trapped in sin. wandering without direction … and he refused to leave us there. When we think about salvation, it’s easy to think in abstract terms such as, forgiveness, heaven, and eternal life. While these are glorious truths, we have to know that at its core, salvation is about being found by the One who loves us most. That’s why it’s personal and relational.
Jesus did not rescue humanity in a general sense; he came for you. He came for me. Therefore, the story of Zacchaeus also teaches us that no one is too far gone, no heart is too hardened, and no life is too entangled in sin for the saving power of Jesus. If he could transform Zacchaeus, if he could find us, he could surely find and save others too.
So, on a personal basis let us marvel at the grace that sought us out when we were lost. Let gratitude fill our hearts that Jesus pursued us not with condemnation, but with compassion. We must carry his heart into a world that is hurting around us because there are still many who feel lost, people Jesus longs to seek and save through each of us, as we are part of his master plan.
Let us pray. Lord Jesus thank you for seeking us when we were lost. Thank you for never giving up on us. Help us to never lose the amazing wonder of your saving love. Give us hearts for those who are still far from you, and use our lives as a light that points others to your grace. Amen.
Pastor Andrea (Rev. Andie)
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