THE RIGHT PEOPLE

We know that Jesus never chose the ‘right people’ to hang out with. This was usually because he did not choose whom we have decided are the right and worthy ones. He chose the despised, the weak, the rich, the poor, the Samaritan, the tax-collector, the prostitute, the short man, the tall man, the Roman soldier, the fat man, the skinny man, the leper, and it was rarely whom we would have chosen.

It is much easier to accept what He did from the historical records of the gospels than to try to be there in person to try our hearts and motives. It is easier still to point back with a finger than to point directly and forward. Zaccheus, the tax collector was one of those unlikely people chosen by Jesus. He was overjoyed because he knew he was not the ‘likely one’ to be called out. The people didn’t think so either, “and when they saw it, they all began to grumble (among themselves), saying, “he has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

How I thank God that “he has gone to be the guest’ of many of us who are sinners. He has loved us and come to us, called us by name, and wants to stay with us. What joy! Our short sightedness is healed. We can see clearly and completely. Jesus put it all into perspective in closing by saying, “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

Lord, bring me down from my tree of observation so I can engage you personally, exclusively and individually. Bring me down to a humility that would invite you to stay with me. Thank you for calling me out by name.

“Today salvation has come to this household, because he too is a son of Abraham!  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus