Introduction

Good morning, family. Today we're going to dive into a familiar story from the Gospel of Luke, but I want you to approach it with fresh eyes and an open heart. This story reminds us of three important truths: God's grace is unconditional, forgiveness is transformative, and we are all called to seek Jesus.

Max Lucado put it beautifully when he said, "God's grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you." That's what we're going to see in our passage today.

Let's read together from Luke 19:1-10:

"Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.' But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.' Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'"

God's Grace is Unconditional

The story of Zacchaeus is a powerful illustration of the unconditional nature of God's grace. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, a profession despised by the Jews as they were seen as traitors who worked for the Roman Empire. Yet, despite his status and the societal disdain, Jesus chose to interact with him, showing that His love and grace are not dependent on our social standing or the opinions of others.

Not something that can be earned or deserved: It is freely given to us, regardless of our past mistakes, our current circumstances, or our future failures. In the story, Zacchaeus did nothing to earn Jesus' favor. He did not perform any good deeds or say any special prayers. He simply climbed a tree out of curiosity to see Jesus. Yet, Jesus called him by name and invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house. This shows us that God's grace is not a response to anything we do, but a reflection of His loving and merciful nature.

Not limited by our sins: Zacchaeus was a sinner. He was a tax collector who had cheated people. Yet, Jesus did not condemn him. Instead, He offered him grace and salvation. This is a reminder that no sin is too great for God's grace. No matter how far we have strayed, no matter how deep our sins, God's grace is always available to us. We cannot out-sin God's ability to forgive.

It’s transformative: It changes us from the inside out. When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, he was not the same man. He was transformed by God's grace. He pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay anyone he had cheated four times the amount. This shows that God's grace not only forgives us, but it also empowers us to live a new life that reflects His love and righteousness.

It’s inclusive: It is available to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, age, or background. Zacchaeus was a Jew, a tax collector, and a sinner. Yet, Jesus offered him grace. This shows us that God's grace is not exclusive to a certain group of people. It is a universal offer that extends to all of humanity.

Forgiveness is Transformative

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