God loves you!

    In Luke 19:1-10 we meet Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector from Jericho. Jesus was passing through Jericho and when Zacchaeus heard about it he wanted to see Him. Unfortunately, he was short. He decided to climb a tree in hopes of seeing Jesus as He passed by. When Jesus reached the tree, He looked up, saw him and instructed him to come down because He was going to visit his home. However, those who heard what Jesus planned to do complained that He was going to be a guest at the home of a sinner. Zacchaeus on the other hand, was so overjoyed that he hurried down  from the tree and told the Lord that he would give half of his goods to the poor and if he had taken anything wrongfully from anyone, he would restore it fourfold. Jesus in turn declared: “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (vv.9-10)
    I found this story of salvation interesting for a few reasons. One, Zacchaeus’ tiny stature. He was short but he so desired to get a view of Jesus as He passed by that he decided to climb a tree. I love his determination. He didn’t let his small size stop him from getting a view of Jesus. How determined are we at times to connect with God? Do we make excuses or do we make an effort? We may feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to stop what we’re doing and spend time with Him. At that point, do we submit to His leading or do we continue doing what we are doing thus deeming it more important than time with our Father? It can be so easy to make excuses. God will never interrupt us if it were not important and sometimes I think He just wants to spend some time with us. 
    Two, Jesus took notice of Zacchaeus. There may have been other people in trees and walls trying to get a glimpse of Jesus as He passed by. The Bible does not say. But Zacchaeus was in a tree and Jesus could have walked right past him, after all, there were so many other people around for Him to notice. But that’s the God we serve. He sees us. Even when others don’t see us or even care what’s going on in our lives, God chooses to take notice. I like to think that God is intentional. He intentionally chooses to take notice of us and to care about what concerns us. He doesn’t ignore us or pretend that we are not there. Others might. But God sees and chooses to pay attention.
    Three, Zacchaeus was not the most popular person in that town. He was a tax collector, the chief one at that. He had unfortunately wronged so many people and this deemed him unpopular, someone that no one wanted to be around because they could not trust him. His track record was not good. But Jesus chose not to focus on his flaws like everyone else. He saw the man and He saw his need. He chose to reach out to him when no one else would. By just inviting Himself to his house, He was able to bring about the necessary change in Zacchaeus’ life. Zacchaeus wanted and needed love just like everyone else and Jesus did not hold back, He freely gave it. Jesus sees you in a way that no one else does. He does not focus on your flaws but on you, the person, and He desires to meet your need. He loves you in a way that no one else can or may be even willing to. 
    Four, Jesus publicly acknowledged Zacchaeus. While people saw him as an outcast because of his profession, Zacchaeus’ desire to make things right, caused Jesus to publicly reverse his outcast status. Jesus reminded the crowd that Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham who had simply lost his way because of greed. He was as deserving of mercy and salvation like everyone else. 
    God is not blind to your faults and flaws. He knows them but chooses to offer the gift of salvation. God knows what you deserve, but He chooses to offer what you need - salvation. Jesus chose to pay the price for our sins so that we would not have to. It wasn’t because we deserve it - because we don’t - but because of God’s immeasurable love for us. Let’s not take His salvation for granted. If He is willing to give it, let’s be willing to receive it.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God’s gift of salvation is not dependent on your worthiness but on His love for you. God desires the best for you in spite of your flaws and shortcomings. God loves you. Period. And there is nothing you can do to change that.
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