little sinner, big Saviour

And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

Luke 19:7

Jesus was perfectly at home with the sinners He came to save. He simply engaged them, as they were, and saved them to be changed by Him. Zacchaeus is just such an example. He was a short man with an intimidating reputation. We know he was a chief tax collector and that he was rich. The locals in Jericho saw him like we might see a modern mob boss. I picture Zacchaeus played by Joe Pesci. He is rough around the edges but relatable. And Jesus reaches out to Zacchaeus, knowing he was interested in what Jesus was doing in Jericho (Luke 19:3-4). Jesus boldly invites Himself over to the notorious Zac’s house (Luke 19:5). And the little dude gladly jumps at the chance to host Jesus.

Jesus knew what the crowd did not know. Jesus knew that underneath the gruff exterior was a heart that was seeking God. It was that seeking that compelled him to climb a tree to get a better look. And despite being labeled a sinner by the public, Zacchaeus received the Lord and publícly repented. By the time lil’ Zac hustled down the tree to be by Jesus’ side, he had already repented. He gave half his wealth in charity to the poor and he promised to repay fourfold all those who felt cheated by the tax system he had enforced his entire life. He meant business with Jesus.

Jesus went into sinners’ homes. And He left saints behind. He wants to similarly transform lives today. Jesus wants His people, Christians, to not be the grumbling crowd that enjoys name calling sinners. Instead, as He lives in us, Christians should walk the gospel to those who need Jesus. We should count them as friends, know their lives, care for their concerns, encourage them to turn to Jesus, and celebrate at their conversion! Christians should not point fingers in blame, but instead we are to offer outstretched hands of neighborly friendship like Jesus did! That’s what Jesus lived to do, so much so, that it became His reputation and the outcry of His critics: friend of sinners. We ought to be the same.