This is another story of Jesus reaching out to embrace people who were considered “beyond” salvation. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, Zacchaeus had flown past cultural values. He lined his pockets by helping finance the Roman occupation of Israel. He collected taxes (profit gouging) from his fellow Jews to bankroll the despised Roman oppressors. These Jews had no recourse against Zacchaeus. He could tell you to shut up and pay Rome and if you didn’t, he could turn you over to them for retribution. To say the Jews hated Zacchaeus and his fellow tax collectors is a classic understatement. Zacchaeus didn’t respect them, so they didn’t respect him, either. Jesus loves ALL people. He gave prostitutes, tax collectors and murderers an invitation to a new life. He even offered forgiveness to a thief dying with Him on the cross. The undeserved favor of Jesus is called “grace.” NOBODY is perfect. We are ALL sinners. We all miss the mark. We must not deny grace to anyone. Jesus respects all people because all people are created in the image of God. Jesus chose to give respect to Zacchaeus. The chief tax collector didn’t have to earn Jesus’ respect, but He responded to it. Zacchaeus was “up the tree” in more ways than one. He wanted something more from life than a successful business. It is amazing how Jesus could spot this guy who had come up so short in the community. It is so like Jesus. He always had an eye out for the outcast.

- Pastor Tom Harrison