God accepts us when we know and follow Him closely
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector.
Jesus led him to God.
When we look at someone, we always judge the person.
How is the person? Can we befriend him or her? There is natural for our mind to decide.
When a person has a family and children, fairness is vital. Jealousy occurs if the children are treated unfairly.
In the school teachers are impartial as well.
We judge people through:
1) skin color - physical height. And overall look and presentation
2) occupations. The company name, type of jobs
3) sin- any mistake or scandals they make
4) trends. What someone likes others will also like
Comparing Zacchaeus:
1) looks not okay. he is very short and not popular with people
2) his job as a tax collector. He works for the Romans. Jews hate people who work for the Romans.
3) she is dishonest as he cheats. He has opportunities to do it in his job due to corruption
4) people do not like him at all and he is not popular
Nobody likes Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus sees himself as a bad person.
When people start to see themselves as bad, they start to go down.
Zacchaeus knows the goodness of Jesus. As he feels that he is not good he wants to know Jesus.
People who will meet God:
1) once he knew and was aware of his badness he wants to meet God
2) someone who makes an effort. People in the Bible travel far to meet Jesus and they do not stay put. Zacchaeus climbed up the tree. The tree is usually climbed by children, but Zacchaeus wanted to meet Jesus so much that he did not care so he climbed up the tree. When we get up and try hard, we will be able to meet God we should learn to be like Zacchaeus
3) welcomes and accepts Jesus. And Jesus knows his name
Jesus:
1. Knows everyone our names, background etc
2. Loves and treats everyone like family. We are the children of God. God sends his only son to die for our sins on the cross.
3. Helps to run our lives. Jesus looks at the future of a person and not at the past
When salvation reaches everyone:
1) reception with hospitality. Zacchus receives Jesus but also repented his sin
2) be aware of our sins and repent
3) and start a new life following Jesus daily
Circus has a new master, and now his old master, that is the riches and money have no more meaning to him anymore
