As we continue our series on invitation, we hear the story of Zaccheaus, who seemed the least likely person Jesus would bother to spend any time with, much less ask to be welcomed by. It is important to remember that Jesus is not just for you and me as individuals and for the people who make us feel good about ourselves and comfortable with how we live our lives. Jesus hung out with the people we probably wouldn’t have liked. And if he did it then, you can rest assured he does it now. So who is it in your world you don’t like? Who have you’ve written off? Who do you think is bad and unworthy of receiving dignity or respect? That’s the person Jesus will see and greet and ask to be invited and welcomed by. The story of Zaccheaus is about grace and a radical response of restitution. Grace is for us, but grace is also for the one we think does not deserve it. 

Today’s message is based on Luke 19:1-10.

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Image credit:  James Tissot