“All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19.7-10
Isn’t it easier to see the sin in someone else rather than in our own lives? I mean, what was it Jesus said about taking the plank out of our own eye before we worry about the speck of dust in someone else’s (Matthew 7:3-5)? We tend to focus more on the need for others’ holiness than on our own. We tend to be pretty judgy when it comes to others’ relationship with the Lord.
Jesus was concerned about all of our salvation! And he hung out with the worst of the worst. When he called Zacchaeus to come down so he could go to his house, the people judged: “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner!” But what was the end result of that? Almost immediately Zacchaeus began to turn his life around because he was in the presence of Jesus and gave half of his possessions to the poor. Jesus recognized this and said, “Today salvation has come to this house!” And then he added, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Should we do any differently? Are we not in the business of bringing people closer to Jesus? If Jesus went to dwell with sinners, then why not us? We are called to bring people into his presence, and when people encounter God they find salvation, holiness, and grace abounding. Just as the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all ships,” so the presence of Jesus brings people into a relationship with God. And we are little Christs—his representatives, serving as light in the darkness.
Perhaps we “mature Christians” (like myself) need to be more like Jesus and go to the least, the last, and the lost. We can offer spiritual, emotional, and mental health by the power of the Holy Spirit. We care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
But back to Zacchaeus: Jesus welcomed sinners, and so must we. He was not afraid to bring them along in ministry and usher them into the Kingdom. Can we do any less?
“O Lord, you are spectacular! You welcome anyone who repents and calls upon your name. And even before people realize they need your love, you reach out and walk with them. Help us do the same. Help us be your hands and feet and not be afraid to care for those who are hurting, lost, and alone. I love you, Lord, and praise your name. Thank you for abundant blessings today—for my family, friends, and calling. Come now, Holy Spirit; fill me with your love. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.