Out of a crowd of people who were all bustling to see him, Jesus chose Zacchaeus. What was so special about this man? He was a chief tax collector. These guys were bad news. They were considered traitors because they collected taxes from their own people for the Romans, and, when they did, they always took more than they had to for their own purse. They took money from hard working people. They were generally cold-hearted people who ripped off the poor and needy and left people destitute. They inevitably became very wealthy and they squandered their money on parties and debauchery while their victims starved. Everybody hated these tax collectors; everybody, that is, except Jesus. Out of everyone in the crowd that day it was Zacchaeus the chief tax collector whom Jesus chose. People would have wanted this man to burn in hell. But not Jesus. Jesus wanted to be friends with him. Jesus chose Zacchaeus because, of everyone present that day, he was the least deserving of any favour from God. And the thing that Jesus most loves doing is showing grace. Grace is unmerited favour. Jesus loves to save and restore what is lost. He loves to take something that is really bad and make it good. Jesus paid the ultimate price to make forgiveness available to bad people. Since this grace costs Jesus so much he therefore loves the opportunity to dispense it, particularly in the most extreme cases. Zacchaeus is with Jesus in heaven right now. If Zacchaeus is there what do you think of your chances?
Thank God for the grace he extends to you.
Read Luke 19:1-10
