A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART IV

"I, Zacchaeus, live in Jericho.... I am a lonely tax collector... But today I am not lonely.... A miracle happened today... I was not prepared for that miracle.... This morning I went out and noticed a crowd.... The people told me Jesus is coming to Jericho... I wanted to see Him... So I climbed into the nearest sycamore-fig tree.... When Jesus came near my tree He did the unthinkable.... He stopped under my tree... He did not only stop.... He spoke to me.... He told me to come down because He wanted to visit my home.... No one ever wants to visit my home.... But Jesus wanted to come to my home!!.... I do know that everyone saw Jesus stopping at my tree and calling out to  me.... They then saw me walking to my home with Jesus.... I heard them talking among themselves... I could not hear what they said....But I could guess.... They must be shocked that Jesus was willing to go to my home with me.... Frankly, I cannot blame them for I am shocked myself.... I know that in their eyes I am a sinner... And so I am.... Nevertheless Jesus wanted to come to my home... What a miracle.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the crowd could not understand that Jesus wanted to visit Zacchaeus....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    NOT WORTHY OF ATTENTION D PART IV

But what about the other people who see Jesus going home with Zacchaeus? Are they glad too for  Zacchaeus that the Lord has chosen his home to have a meal in? They all know Zacchaeus well for they have had to pay taxes to him and they all know that tax collectors, including Zacchaeus, are notorious cheaters. So what is their reaction? Let's read Luke 19:7 to find out

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be a guest of a "sinner."

The people are obviously not pleased that Jesus has chosen to stay with Zacchaeus. No doubt, each considers himself a better choice for Jesus to stay with than Zacchaeus. They may even wonder about Jesus for, surely, He must know that Zacchaeus is such a great sinner, or does He...?