When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” Luke 19:7 NABRE
Jesus travelling through Jericho comes upon a tax collector named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus climbs a tree to get a look at Jesus. Jesus surprises him by stopping and calling him and Jesus invites Himself to Zacchaeus’ home. As a tax collector Zacchaeus works for the oppressive government collecting taxes and giving the money to the governing oppressors. Many tax collectors would take extra from the people for themselves. Tax collectors such as Zacchaeus are seen as sinners and shunned by the Hebrew community. Jesus however makes a point of letting everyone know He wants to be with Zacchaeus, a sinner. Jesus’ recognition and calling out of Zacchaeus has a conversion effect on him and He promises to return anything he has exhorted and give half of his wealth to the poor. Jesus’ intervention in Zacchaeus life has the very effect Jesus hopes to have on all people He encounters and who encounter Him. Jesus uses the meeting with Zacchaeus to say He has come specifically to seek and save the lost of Israel. Jesus speaks about seeking one lost sheep, one lost coin or a lost son and how there will be rejoicing in heaven at their finding. Jesus is not put off by those who say He is staying with sinners, it is precisely the sinner that Jesus desires to connect with and return to the community. Jesus sees the good in all people and recognizes sinful acts do not destroy the heart of someone who has known God and may return to God again.
We may judge people worthless when we see their sin, we think there is no good in them. But God sees a person’s heart and understands the reason for sin. God wants to eliminate the sin and save the sinner.
Do you avoid sinners? Are you able to see good in a bad person?
Jesus sees the good in all people and recognizes sinful acts do not destroy the heart of someone who has known God and may return to God again. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #seek #lost #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways