Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
Have you ever asked the question, Does God care about me? I think we all know the obvious theoretical answer which is yes, but sometimes in our lives it can be hard to believe this truth. Our story today gives us a glimpse of God's heart toward all people.
We can’t talk about Zacchaeus without thinking of the song that is so famous in Sunday School. The song is fun and catchy but it can give us a shallow view of what being a tax collector meant in that day. Many people think that the tax collectors were people who were told by Rome to get $50 from each person and they took $70. We just equate them to theives and unethical accountants.
The reality was that Jewish people didn’t like tax collectors because the money that was being raised usually funded the oppression of their own people. So Zacchaeus had turned against his own people to raise money for Rome. Using the word traitor doesn't even give us a full picture of what this act meant.
When Jesus invites himself over to Zacchaeus’ house this is why the people are up in arms. They are so confused why Jesus would eat with someone who in a way betrayed them by working for the very government responsible for their oppression. This is an extraordinary act of love and acceptance by Jesus to eat with Zacchaeus.
Then Jesus goes on to say, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
This statement is revolutionary. Jesus is saying that even people who have forsaken their own people, cheated people out of money, and been a nuisance to God’s chosen people could have a relationship with God! No wonder the people wanted to kill Jesus. This made absolutely no sense to them but it impacted the world immensely.
Zaccheaus repented of his way of life and decided to give back everything he had stolen plus some. When someone’s life is impacted by Jesus, the response is to accept the love offered and turn from your sin.
Today no matter what you have done, no matter where you feel like you have failed there is grace for you. The truth is that God cares about you! God cared about Zacchaeus so much that he was willing to endure persecution to go and spend time with him. Jesus went through more persecution for you. He went to the cross knowing that He would have to endure separation from the Father so that we could have the opportunity to be in a relationship with him!
Our response should be one of reverence and obedience. God does care about you and desires for you to spend your life glorifying him. Take the next few minutes to pray and meditate on the truth that God cares about you.
