Luke 19:5 Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house."
If you've ever attended a parade, sporting event, or large gathering, and struggled to see over the crowd, you can probably relate to Zacchaeus in today's gospel. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, and therefore someone who would not have been well thought of among the people of that time, heard that Jesus would be passing by. He had a desire to see Jesus. However, the gospel says that he couldn't see him because he was short in stature. He decided to go ahead of the crowd and climb a sycamore tree so that he could at least catch of glimpse of Jesus. Likely, he didn't want to be noticed by Jesus. However, when Jesus comes to the tree where Zacchaeus is, he looks up at him and says, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly for today I must stay at your house." Zacchaeus does so much to the discontentment of the crowd who accuses Jesus of going to stay at the house of a sinner. This encounter with Jesus ultimately leads to Zacchaeus' conversion and salvation.
This is one of my favorite accounts in the New Testament. In a twist of fate, Zacchaeus desired to see Jesus, but in the end, it was Jesus who saw Zacchaeus and desired his salvation. Jesus encountered Zacchaeus where he was at. Jesus also desires to encounter us in our lives, not matter where we are at in our faith. He desires to have a close and personal relationship with him. He desires to forgive our sins and to lead us to salvation. Are we open to that encounter? Are we open to this type of relationship, or do we feel unworthy?
The reality is that none of us is worthy of God's grace and eternal salvation, but yet he desires to give it to us. That's how great is God's love for us. Each time we come to church, it's an opportunity to express our gratitude for all that he has done for us, and to encounter his love.
