Jesus Changes the Sinner
Luke 19:1-10, ESV
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection
“Persona non grata” is a Latin phrase for “unwelcome person”. This phrase is often used in diplomacy during international relations. The purpose of this diplomatic label is to allow a country to declare an individual unwelcome within its borders. A representative would be branded this for previous law violations, unacceptable diplomatic behavior, security concerns, or, simply, making disrespectful comments towards the host country.
In today’s verse, we find two individuals labeled “persona non grata” by their own society. Zacchaeus, a tax collector, is labeled for corruption and greed and seen as traitor for collaborating with Roman oppression against his own people for personal gain. The second is Jesus, viewed as a heretic and labeled with unmet Messianic expectations for associating with outcasts. Presumptuously, inviting himself into someone else’s house…
Yet, the hospitality in this story resides not in the individual opening his home, but in the One who steps into our unwantedness. Jesus sees it and knows it better than we do. His hospitality is a powerful healing dynamic comprised of grace and truth.
What is it about Jesus’ hospitality that gave hope to change the sinner? In it, Zacchaeus encountered God’s grace against the backdrop of his human depravity. It offered a solution to his endless, dissatisfied search to fill the void of emptiness with power, profit, pleasure, and applause. His grace fills that void and says, despite those things – I still want you!
Zacchaeus responds with awareness of his sin and ends his self-deception, leading to true repentance. He no longer needs to fool himself. Zacchaeus sees that he is accepted by God and can, therefore, accept himself. He admits to his fallen state for a grace greater than any sin or accomplishment. He commits to transformative change by pledging half of his possessions to the poor and repaying four times the amount of anyone he has cheated. This behavior emphasizes a significant change in attitude towards his wealth and a commitment to restitution.
When we step into Jesus’ hospitality, we find hope that changes the sinner. The only thing He asks us to bring is repentance. In return, we leave with redemption and a changed heart in response to encountering Jesus.
Action Steps
1. Have you stepped into Jesus’ hospitality by welcoming Him into your unwantedness? If not, welcome Jesus – acknowledge and turn from your sin, ask for forgiveness, and allow Him to change your heart.
2. Zacchaeus didn’t float above life after his encounter with Jesus. Jesus’ hospitality is for us, every day. Consider areas of further confession, repentance, and heart transformation.
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you for stepping into my situation and showing Your love is greater than my sins. Let me accept this truth every day and seek You above any fleeting desire that leaves me discontent. Restore and transform the areas of my heart that leave me feeling unwanted. In Jesus name, Amen.
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection
“Persona non grata” is a Latin phrase for “unwelcome person”. This phrase is often used in diplomacy during international relations. The purpose of this diplomatic label is to allow a country to declare an individual unwelcome within its borders. A representative would be branded this for previous law violations, unacceptable diplomatic behavior, security concerns, or, simply, making disrespectful comments towards the host country.
In today’s verse, we find two individuals labeled “persona non grata” by their own society. Zacchaeus, a tax collector, is labeled for corruption and greed and seen as traitor for collaborating with Roman oppression against his own people for personal gain. The second is Jesus, viewed as a heretic and labeled with unmet Messianic expectations for associating with outcasts. Presumptuously, inviting himself into someone else’s house…
Yet, the hospitality in this story resides not in the individual opening his home, but in the One who steps into our unwantedness. Jesus sees it and knows it better than we do. His hospitality is a powerful healing dynamic comprised of grace and truth.
What is it about Jesus’ hospitality that gave hope to change the sinner? In it, Zacchaeus encountered God’s grace against the backdrop of his human depravity. It offered a solution to his endless, dissatisfied search to fill the void of emptiness with power, profit, pleasure, and applause. His grace fills that void and says, despite those things – I still want you!
Zacchaeus responds with awareness of his sin and ends his self-deception, leading to true repentance. He no longer needs to fool himself. Zacchaeus sees that he is accepted by God and can, therefore, accept himself. He admits to his fallen state for a grace greater than any sin or accomplishment. He commits to transformative change by pledging half of his possessions to the poor and repaying four times the amount of anyone he has cheated. This behavior emphasizes a significant change in attitude towards his wealth and a commitment to restitution.
When we step into Jesus’ hospitality, we find hope that changes the sinner. The only thing He asks us to bring is repentance. In return, we leave with redemption and a changed heart in response to encountering Jesus.
Action Steps
1. Have you stepped into Jesus’ hospitality by welcoming Him into your unwantedness? If not, welcome Jesus – acknowledge and turn from your sin, ask for forgiveness, and allow Him to change your heart.
2. Zacchaeus didn’t float above life after his encounter with Jesus. Jesus’ hospitality is for us, every day. Consider areas of further confession, repentance, and heart transformation.
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you for stepping into my situation and showing Your love is greater than my sins. Let me accept this truth every day and seek You above any fleeting desire that leaves me discontent. Restore and transform the areas of my heart that leave me feeling unwanted. In Jesus name, Amen.
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