Notorious sinner
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Luke 19:5-7
I think everyone loves to be called by name. I certainly do. And it is particularly special if you didn’t realise that the person speaking to you knew your name. Clearly, Zacchaeus was not only surprised that Jesus knew his name but thrilled when he offered to visit his house. This changed everything for Zacchaeus, who realised that he had to turn his life around.
The fact that Jesus came into the world to save sinners is wonderful, but it means little until you realise that this offer is extended to you personally.
You matter to God. Incredibly, if you had been the only sinner who had ever lived, Jesus would have died for you. As a teenager, I really struggled to believe that I could be that important to God. It seemed so unlikely. But it’s precisely the good news that Jesus came to proclaim to the world. When you accept it for yourself, it cannot fail to turn your life upside down.
The crowd in this story did not approve of Jesus’ choice. They couldn’t believe he would go to the home of a notorious sinner. They assumed that Jesus would choose people who they considered to be respectable, not somebody who represented everything that was most appalling and distasteful about their society. But the good news of Jesus knows no limits.
He still comes to sinners of all kinds, including us. He personally welcomes us and invites us to receive his gift of salvation.
QUESTION
If Jesus was walking the streets of your community and looking for a notorious sinner, whose home would he visit?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you that you call me by name and that, incredibly, you offer me the gift of new life. Amen