Read Luke 18.31-19.44
Verses chosen for reflection
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflect
It is said that gossips are a man's favourite past time when he had nothing better to say. When Jesus made the public choice to stay at Zacchaeus house, there surely was gossip which verse 7 tells us, came in the form of "grumbling". The people were not happy that Jesus had chosen to stay in the house of someone whom they regarded as a sinner. Zacchaeus was definitely not everyone's favourite guy. He was a chief collector.
Though he was rich, he was hated by many for collecting taxes on behalf of their Roman oppressors. Quite often, these tax collectors were regarded as opportunists who sought to profit from the plight of the people, especially those who are poor. Despite Zacchaeus being public enemy number one, Jesus chose to stay in his house. A gesture which suggested an "upgrade" in the relationship between Jesus and Zacchaeus since it was a big deal to receive someone's hospitality.
Yet Jesus was not there because Zacchaeus was wealthy. He was not there, like some who sought to profit themselves through such relationships. Instead, Jesus was there to bring salvation to Zacchaeus and his household. The amazing thing was that even before Jesus went to stay at Zacchaeus house, the latter was convicted of his greed and sought to make restitution, much more than he probably should under the law.
Relate
Jesus' love for the unloved is truly out of this world. Those whom the world sought to persecute (and sometimes with "good reasons") are considered as precious in the sight of Christ. Jesus was able to see not only the willingness and capacity for anyone to repent from their sin; He was able to see the potential of what such persons can do for His kingdom.
This ought to teach the church something since the foundation of the church was to be built upon the confession by Peter, that Jesus is the Christ. Sometimes, churches spent much resources in discipleship programs or even fanciful events, so much so that we neglect our call to share the Gospel and follow up with them in love. Sometimes, it felt as it nothing learnt was ever put into practice; especially the call for disciples to love the unloved.
We ought to be churches which welcome and go out of our ways to look out for and care for the "sinners" in our midst. Whether they are wealthy or living in destitute, it does not matter. Whether they are of sound mind or mentally unwell, it does not matter as well. Whatever occupations they might be in, as long as they repent of their sinful ways like Zacchaeus, we learn to minister like Christ did.
We follow Jesus' example to see beyond ourselves and adopt the godly perspective of loving those whom the world cast out of their eyes. Furthermore, for those who came to know the Lord, we follow up with them diligently in discipleship so that they know that they are a new creation, who can be equipped for good work in His glory.
Rest
Lord, give us eyes that see and perceive according to Your ways. Give us grace to love those whom the world had rejected; for You have first loved us. Help us to be a church that seeks after the many Zacchaeus in this world, and enable us to help them grow in the potential of how You want them to be. This we pray in Jesus Name. Amen.
Jason
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