Today’s Reading | Luke 19:1-9
Reaching “Sinners”
Why did people respond with such amazement when Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house? Apparently, it was Zacchaeus’ career choice. Tax-collectors were the most hated of people in the Jewish society. They were often more hated than the Romans who occupied Israel. Their method of collecting taxes was skimming off a generous helping for themselves as they collected the required funds for the government. Tax collectors were considered so untrustworthy that they were not even allowed to testify in Jewish court because of their reputation as liars. They could not worship in the synagogue as such blatant sinners. Imagine Zacchaeus’ surprise when Jesus stopped and invited Himself to his house for dinner. Although people reacted negatively to the fact that Jesus went to have dinner with him, Jesus reminded them (verse 10) that it was for people like Zacchaeus that He had come. Are you building a relationship with someone with the express purpose of winning them to Christ? We, like Christ, need to make it our passion to “seek and save what was lost.” What step will you take today to impact someone for Christ?
Today’s Questions
Say What?
What people in your world are viewed like the tax-collectors were?
So What?
In what ways are you attempting to reach out to them?
Now What?
How can you impact these kinds of people for Christ?
Then What?
In light of this passage, what personal commitment can you make?