Everyone loves to be called by name. It is particularly special if you didn’t realise that the person speaking to you knew your name. Clearly, Zacchaeus was not only surprised that Jesus knew his name, but thrilled when he offered to visit his house. This changed everything for Zacchaeus, who realised that he had to turn his life around.

The fact that Jesus came into the world to save sinners is amazing and wonderful, but it means little until you realise that he is addressing you personally. You matter to God. Incredibly, as Augustine stated long ago, if you had been the only sinner who had ever lived, Jesus would have died for you. As a teenager, I really struggled to believe that I could be that important to God. It seemed so unlikely, but that is precisely the truth that Jesus came to proclaim to the world. That is the good news, and when you accept it for yourself, it cannot fail to turn your life upside down.

The crowd didn’t approve of Jesus’ choice. They couldn’t believe that he would go to the home of a notorious sinner. They had assumed that Jesus would choose people who they considered to be respectable, not a tax collector who represented everything that was most appalling and distasteful about their society. However, the good news of Jesus knows no limits. He still comes to sinners of all kinds and personally welcomes them to receive the gift of his salvation.

If Jesus were walking the streets of your community and looking for a notorious sinner, whose home would he visit?

Lord Jesus, thank you that you call me by name and that, incredibly, you offer me the gift of new life. Amen