Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus was a notorious sinner, a scoundrel. Yet Jesus said to him, “I must stay at your house.” In that culture, this act of fellowship indicated acceptance.

What Jesus did was scandalous.

Associating with sinners was a common complaint about Jesus. He was always getting into trouble for hanging out with the wrong people.

Here’s another interesting thing, Jesus knew his name. It was personal. Jesus knew exactly who he was.

Proactive acceptance triggered a repentance that judgement never could have produced. There are always people like Zacchaeus in our midst, curious about Christ, waiting on an invitation to fellowship. Are we willing to put our reputations at risk by associating with them? Are we willing to venture out of our comfort zones and into their worlds, their hobbies, their homes?

His mission should be our mission