Just As We Are

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

- Luke 19:8

We are going to continue on with the story of Zacchaeus today. Zacchaeus, a disliked tax collector, climbed a tree to get a better look at Jesus. Jesus called him down from the tree and said he would be over for dinner that night. The crowd around them was shocked at this. Jesus was Jewish and Zacchaeus was a disgusting tax collector! They shouldn’t be associating with each other. Zacchaeus responded with what we find in our passage for today. He decided to give to the poor and to repay people that he cheated in collecting taxes.

What Zacchaeus did was a great thing. He sought to repair the damage he had done to people. Yet, it seems like he might have been hoping that by doing these good works, that is what would make him worthy to be with Jesus. Looking to Zacchaeus though, Jesus responded to his seeking before Zacchaeus decided to do good works. Jesus didn’t need Zacchaeus’ works to connect with him. Jesus just wanted Zacchaeus how he was right then and there.

Jesus doesn’t need us to fix ourselves up or repair the damage we have done to others before seeking Him. We don’t need our ducks in a row to connect with Jesus. He wants us to seek Him just as we are right now!

Spend a few moments in reflection thinking on how you might be trying to earn your relationship with Jesus.

Now pray for a bit, asking God to remind you throughout your day to seek Him first, and not to worry about earning His love. Pray that further areas where you are trying to earn Jesus’ love would be revealed to you.