Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

— Ephesians 4:2

In Jesus’ day people despised the local tax collectors for collaborating with the Romans, who had taken over their nation. The tax collectors could also overcharge people in order to pay themselves, so they often got rich at the expense of their local community.

When Jesus came to visit, he shocked Zacchaeus, the local tax collector, and everyone in the crowd by inviting himself to stay at Zacchaeus’s house. In this way Jesus showed Zacchaeus great honor and respect, and that turned Zacchaeus’s life around. The tax collector stood up and acknowledged his wrongdoing, made amends, and gave half of his wealth to the poor. What joy in the city of Jericho!

Zacchaeus met grace in the person of Jesus, who accepted and honored him instead of rejecting him. He was overwhelmed and humbled, and immediately he became generous to the people around him.

In Ephesians, Paul invites us to live a life that responds to God’s grace. He calls Christians to be humble, gentle, and patient. As people who have received generous grace, we are called to live gracious lives. God's grace to us fuels us to show grace and generosity to others.

How does the grace you receive affect your relationships with the people around you? What can you do to show humility and gentleness in your relationships at home, at work or school, and in the church?

Jesus, thank you for showing us grace despite our many sins. By your Spirit, empower us to show grace to everyone we meet today. Amen.