Luke 19:5
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”
How do we know we’re okay? In this story, Jesus felt the press of a huge crowd in Jericho while an immoral, hated, and rather short tax collector climbed a tree to try to see him. When Jesus called to him, the ridiculous sinner felt not only the joy of seeing Jesus, but the much greater joy of acceptance. Zacchaeus knew he was okay.
Not long after, Jesus was taken by the crowd and nailed to a tree. Jesus, who alone among men could stand without sin before God's presence died as a cursed man. Why? He switched places with Zacchaeus. Jesus went from the center of everything to the tree so Zacchaeus, and you, could be forgiven and accepted and brought into the presence of God. Don’t answer your soul’s nagging question with anything less than the smile of Jesus telling you to come down and eat with Him.
Prayer prompt: Lord, please help me to accept and enjoy Your loving invitation.