Acceptance: Jesus & Zaccheaus

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Or do you despise the riches of His goodness forbearance and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance Romans TWOFO, Heavenly Father, we come before you with humble hearts, deeply moved by the profound truth, and Romans too, for reminding us of your boundless kindness and patience. It's your goodness, Lord that leads us to repentance, not through fear or judgment, but through your unwavering love and mercy. Help us to grasp the depth of your compassion that, even in our weakness and failure, you draw us closer, not to condemn, but to restore and heal. Teach us, o, God, to see through your eyes to understand that every moment of patience and every act of kindness from you is a call to return to your embrace. Let this understanding transform our hearts, inspire our actions, and renew our minds. May we extend the same patience and kindness to others, reflecting your love in our lives. In doing so, let us be beacons of your grace in a world in need of your light. In Jesus name, Amen, thank you for praying with me to day you are listening to the Jesus Podcast. Stay here to listen to a story about a wee little man named Zechias and how the kindness of Christ can soften the hardest of hearts. If this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love it if you left a review and shared it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world, because when Jesus' story is told, lives are transformed. The dust of Jericho swirled around Zachchias's polished boots as he navigated the crowded marketplace. His silk robes flowed in the breeze, exposing his purple lace tunic and silver medallion underneath. The symbols of his wealth and position as chief tax collector only deepened the furrows of disgust on people's faces. Scornful whispers followed him like flies. 00:02:47 Speaker 2: There goes the Roman leech, fattening himself off our sweat. 00:02:52 Speaker 1: Others spat on the ground, hoping it would stain his perfectly polished bootsie Zis held his head high, although his heart ached from the sneers. Their disdain wasn't unfounded. Zachias had extracted excessive taxes from the people of Jericho. His wealth was gained through extra fees an interest on loans people had no choice but to ask for. Zachias had built himself a small empire of corruption and greed, enriching himself on impoverishing his people. He was more than hated. He was reviled, an outcast in his own city. Typically, Zachias was content to lounge in the courtyards and ball rooms of Roman officials to avoid such ridicule. Today, however, a sliver of curiosity compelled Zachius to go outside. News of a charismatic rabbi preaching hope and revolution had reached Jericho. Zachias heard some refer to him as the messiah an others said he was a prophet. And there was another name the Pharisees had given him, one that piqued Zachias's curiosity. 00:04:18 Speaker 3: He's a friend of tax collectors. 00:04:21 Speaker 1: He overheard one of them say. 00:04:23 Speaker 3: He dines with those traitors like they've done nothing wrong. I even heard one of his closest followers is a former tax collector. 00:04:32 Speaker 1: Deplorable If this were true, and Jesus of Nazareth was a friend of tax collectors, perhaps Zachias could approach him. No rabbi of reputation would dare dine with a tax collector. This man wasn't just a rabbi. Some claimed he was the Messiah, and if the Messiah would speak with Zachias, then perhaps he wouldn't be the scourge everyone thought. 00:05:00 Speaker 3: He was. 00:05:03 Speaker 1: Drawn by this curiosity, Zachias ventured through the city to catch a glimpse. News of Jesus' arrival reached everyone, and a crowd surge toward the city gates to greet him. Everyone young and old forced themselves to the front. Zachias tried his best to keep up, but was swiftly shoved aside. Zachias felt like a king behind the tax booth or lounging in his mansion, but out on the streets of Jericho he was a cockroach, unworthy of dignity or respect. It didn't help that he was a tiny man, standing face to face with most children. That's why he became a tax collector in the first place. Nobody felt small with centurions at their disposal a five acre estate made up for being just over five feet tall. Zachi has tried pushing through the crowd again, but he was shoved aside. 00:06:13 Speaker 4: Let me through. You can all see over me anyway. I just want to see Jesus. 00:06:20 Speaker 1: Zachias's piping voice could barely be heard over the clamor Let me through. The tax collector tried running through them. The tax collector tried running through them, but he was shoved to the ground. 00:06:35 Speaker 2: Back to your booth, leitch, none of us want you here. 00:06:40 Speaker 1: Zachias wiped the dust off his coat and began walking away. He turned his back to the crowd and sighed. 00:06:48 Speaker 4: Ugh, SuDS me rah, I suppose we'll see how big they feel when their taxes are highd up. 00:06:55 Speaker 1: He walked away with his head and held low. Zachieas wasn't oblivious. He knew why people hated him. He betrayed his people and cheated them out of their livelihoods. He wasn't entirely shameless. In his most vulnerable moments, he wept over his sins. But how else was he going to feel important? Zachias was always overlooked, picked last, and forgotten. As a child, he could never keep up and people rarely heard him when he spoke. But behind the booth, surrounded by guards or sitting on a mountain of gold. He felt significant, he felt tall. Zachias walked away in defeat, but his countenance changed when he heard everyone shouting. 00:07:58 Speaker 2: It's him, Jesus, is he yeah? 00:08:01 Speaker 1: The crowd irrupted in praise. Everyone pushed toward the middle, trying to get a hold of jesus robe or catch a glimpse of his face. Zachias turned around. This time, more than curiosity compelled him. His heart began to pound, and his entire body tensed with anxious excitement. He didn't expect to talk with Jesus. He knew a rabbi like him had far more pressing things to attend to, but he needed to see him. At least, he needed to catch a glimpse of the Messiah. Maybe, just maybe, seeing Jesus would change something about the way Zachias felt about himself. He looked around, seeing where he could get a better vantage point. A large sycamore tree stood on the perimeter of the gate. Its thin branches hung over the casting a slight shadow over the path Jesus was about to walk on. The branches were too thin for a grown man to hang on, but perhaps we Zachius had a chance. Jesus is Zaccheus, the short and portly tax collector, scampered over to the sycamore tree. He climbed up with surprising agility for his physi As he settled among the rustling leaves, he held his breath anticipation, prickling his skin. Jesus' followers walked before him, pressing through the crowd so they didn't overwhelm him. 00:09:43 Speaker 2: Jesus tell us about the coming age. 00:09:47 Speaker 4: Rabbi, Please here, my son lord, When will you take the throne from Caesar? 00:09:54 Speaker 1: Everyone wanted something from Jesus. They yearned for his teaching, and were dea spread to see a miracle. Zachias scooted up the smooth branch, tearing his robe and scuffling his polished boots. The branch bowed under his weight as he leaned forward. 00:10:14 Speaker 4: He's done so closer. 00:10:16 Speaker 1: He continued further up the branch until he finally saw Jesus. He wore craftsman's clothes. He wasn't physically imposing or astonishingly handsome. He was an ordinary man. If the sea of people weren't thrashing toward Jesus, Zachias wouldn't have guessed it was him, yet even still, there was something different about him. Zacheas hugged the branch and smiled, seeing Jesus was worth the scuffled boots and sweaty tunic. However, only a minute in the branch beneath him began to crack. Zachia's eyes widened in fear. 00:11:06 Speaker 4: Oh no, no, no, no no. 00:11:09 Speaker 1: He shuffled backwards, tearing a hole right through his linen trousers. Just as Zachias returned to the tree's base, the branch snapped and fell. It crashed right before Jesus, nearly crushing him and one of his disciples. The entire crowd gasped and looked up up in the tree, eyes wide with embarrassment and ripped pants hung Zachias, the LEAs. 00:11:40 Speaker 2: Just tried to kill Jesus. Who does he think he is? 00:11:44 Speaker 1: Zachias hugged the tree trunk, unsure of what to do next. If he remained in the tree, everyone would see his embarrassment on display. He was sweating through his shirt and his pants were ripped, but if he hurried down they might beat him. Zachias wanted to crawl back to his home and never come out. He missed the safety of his booth. He wished he hadn't ventured out without his guards. As the tax collector reeled in anxiety, Jesus stepped over the branch and. 00:12:21 Speaker 2: Looked up, Zechius, Is that you my friend? 00:12:24 Speaker 1: Jesus spoke to Zachias like one would to an old friend, but he was confident that he had never met Jesus before. Confused and caught off guard, Zachius. 00:12:37 Speaker 4: Nodded, yes, eat me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. 00:12:42 Speaker 2: Oh, get down from there. I'm staying at your house tonight. Let's eat. 00:12:47 Speaker 4: You want to just stay with you want to eat with me? 00:12:55 Speaker 1: Zachias would have slapped himself to see if he was dreaming, but then he would humble down the tree. 00:13:01 Speaker 2: Of course. Now get down and let's be on our way. 00:13:05 Speaker 1: A collective gasp escaped the crowd. Did the rabbi, the one they believed to be their messiah, choose to dine with Jericho's most hated man. Zachias himself was paralyzed and speechless. Shame battled gratitude within him. Did Jesus know who he was? Zachias looked out at the crowd. He saw their menacing grimaces and heard their judgmental whispers. Jesus met zachias gaze and stepped forward with a warm, gentle whisper. He nodded and said. 00:13:51 Speaker 2: Don't worry about them, Zacheus, come down and let's eat together as friends. 00:13:56 Speaker 1: There was that word again, friends. The words seemed so foreign to Zachius. Even before taking up the slimy tax collecting trade, he hadn't enjoyed the pleasure of many friends. He usually had to pay for the joy of anyone's company. Sure, there were nobles to bribe and government officials to consort with, but none were his friends. The dam within Zacheus broke. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring the image of the crowd below. He nodded to Jesus and worked his way down the sycamore tree. The crowd no longer pressed or shouted. They were utterly still, murmuring to each other as Zacheus led Jesus to his home, hands covering the gaping hole in his trousers. 00:15:00 Speaker 5: We're all looking for a sense of acceptance somewhere, from high school cliques to seeking praise in the workplace. If you've ever been rejected, you know how hard it can be. To overcome that feeling of shame. But we have a God who looks past our outward appearance and into the heart. No matter what kind of worldly rejection you have ever received, you have a God of mercy and compassion who accepts you into his family. This is the Jesus Podcast story, showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth through cinematic storytelling. I'm Zach, your host from pray dot com, and I'm happy you're here with us. In fact, I'm glad that you're a part of this community. I'm glad you're a part of the pray dot com movement as we seek to tell the story of Jesus, tell the story of the Bible really in new and exciting ways. It's been our aim to make these stories accessible, relatable, but not forsaking genuine reflection in truth and meditation on God's word. Hopefully you've enjoyed it so far, and if you have, we would love it if you continued to follow and left a review. If there was one way to ensure you were an outcast in Jewish society in Jesus's time, it was to be a tax collector serving on behalf of the Roman government. You were the face of their injustice in the community, and you collected money for the benefit of your oppressors. Together, we're going to learn about Zachias, the chief tax collector in the city of Jericho. Though small in stature, Zachias was a man who had built up a world of wealth for himself. But we'll find out that for all of his possessions, he still had a hole in his heart. He felt this need for acceptance. Perhaps there was more to life than amassing mountains of money. Was it worth the rejection and ridicule he faced from the people around him? Was it worth isolation from his family and the scorn of those that he called kinsman? These are the types of thoughts that flooded through Zacchias's mind as he heard the murmurings that there was a rabbi and a friend of tax collectors around. You already know the answer, but let's be swept up in the story anyways. 00:17:07 Speaker 1: Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table. Zachias had his servants prepare a decadent meal of cured meats Jesus and baked bread with olives and dates. Jesus sat beside Zachias, asking questions about his life. Zachias poured himself out to Jesus, unashamed to admit his shortcomings and mistakes. Jesus, in turn, spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven and his desire for people to understand the love of the Father. There was no rebuke, no sermon, and no call to repentance. Jesus simply sat with Zachias, tears of joy and sorrow intermixed. They spoke about life, hardship, food and music. Being in the presence of Jesus was enough to convict zachi as his heart, all his sins came to the forefront of his mind. But instead of reeling in shame, Zachias felt a tug on his heart to change. He didn't want to run away from his guild. Jesus didn't treat him like a leech or scourge. He treated him as a friend worthy of dignity and respect. Zachias desperately wanted to live up to the way Jesus treated him. Zachias rose from the table and walked into the other room. He pulled his account manager aside and spoke in a hush tone and spoke in a hush tone. 00:19:00 Speaker 4: Have the ledger of accounts we've altered? 00:19:02 Speaker 6: Correct, Yes, my lord, I have a detailed record of every account, including the ones we've charged more than required. We alternate who to charge more to every quarter to keep the Romans off our backs. 00:19:14 Speaker 1: Zachias brows softened and he buried his face to his hands. 00:19:18 Speaker 4: What a wretch, I am cheating these people out of their money. 00:19:23 Speaker 6: I'm sorry, my lord, since one of you cared about who you've cheated. Look at your state, look at your robes, Look at Jesus. 00:19:32 Speaker 1: He pointed to the other room, where Jesus reclined at the table with his friends. 00:19:36 Speaker 4: Every single one of our countrymen have resigned themselves to hate me, but not him. He treats me luck a righteous man, when I'm clearly not. I want to be the top of man, he seasoned me. 00:19:50 Speaker 6: What would you like me to do? 00:19:52 Speaker 4: Find every person on that ledger. Every man we've cheated will receive four times the amount back. 00:19:59 Speaker 6: That would drain your savings. Master, are you quite sure. 00:20:03 Speaker 4: Half of whatever is left will go to the poor? 00:20:07 Speaker 1: Zachias gave the command. His manager left in confusion. Zachias didn't seem burdened by his business before, he hadn't given any of his corrupt dealings a second thought until meeting Jesus. He returned to his place at the table. 00:20:27 Speaker 4: Sorry about that, Jesus, where were we? 00:20:30 Speaker 2: Was something troubling you? 00:20:32 Speaker 4: I'm giving half my possessions to the poor Lord, and whoever I've cheated is being paid back four times this amount. It's time for a change. 00:20:42 Speaker 1: Zachias nodded and lifted his cup in resolution. What Zachias was describing was repentance, although that type of religious word escaped his mind. Jesus returned the gesture and lifted his cup. 00:21:01 Speaker 2: Today, Zachius, salvation has come to this house. You are also a son of Abraham. You belong. 00:21:09 Speaker 1: The rest of the disciples raised their cups and acknowledged Zachias. 00:21:14 Speaker 2: Your past has not disqualified you from me, for the son of Man came to seek and save the lost. 00:21:21 Speaker 1: Zachias smile lit up the room under the warmth of the lamplight. Surrounded by friends who accepted Zachias despite his past, Zachias finally felt tall. 00:21:41 Speaker 5: We've all been on the giving and receiving end of acceptance. Likewise, we've all likely been on the giving and receiving end of rejection. Whether we're up against prejudice, an unfavorable experience, or gossip from others. The battle for acceptance is a daily struggle for us, but it's not impossible to overcome. We read in Romans fifteen to accept one another. Then, just as Jesus has accepted us, God has accepted us, and we have this calling to accept each other. Zakias had long lived without the acceptance of others. He chose a life that put his well being and security first above those in his community. We don't know why Zacchius chose this. It's possible to speculate as to why. Maybe he was already kind of on the fringes of society, Maybe he was rejected by friends, maybe he wasn't really accepted. For whatever reason, Zacchius decides to rise within the ranks of the tax collectors basically lapdocks of the Roman government. He had risen to the ranks as chief tax collector and had great rewards because of it. He had land, he had a house, nice clothes, on a savings. There wasn't much more he could ask for regarding wealth, but that doesn't mean he had everything he needed. Well, he may have found everything he needed materially. What Zechis lacked was much more profound, as he felt the emptiness inside. Emotionally drained, socially outcasted, and spiritually dry. There was a lot he was lacking in the areas that mattered most. Perhaps you found yourself in this situation. You have everything that you need materially, but you still feel this pit in your stomach. Or maybe you've achieved a lot in life. You've pursued your dreams and you've attained the goals that you sought out to attain, but at the end of it all, you still feel lack. In our story, we see Zekius honest with himself about these feelings as his fellow citizens through insults his way, spitting at his feet. He held his head high, but in his heart he was burdened with knowing that it was all true. You see, sometimes the scorn and ridicule we receive from people hurts most because we know that it has a tinge of truth to it. When it comes to acceptance, we have to be honest with ourselves. What sort of lifestyle have we been leading, What kind of friends have we been, what areas of our lives genuinely need to change. Where have we allowed ourselves to drift from the heart of God. The people who care about us aren't looking for us to be perfect, but they're looking for us to be honest with ourselves and transparent about our flaws. There's nothing worse than a glaring flaw someone has that they are painfully unaware of. This is a very good way to become a social outcast. 00:24:21 Speaker 4: You see. 00:24:21 Speaker 5: People are very gracious with mistakes. People are very gracious with quirks and flaws, but they're less gracious when it seems like you're not aware of it at all. This is why radical self reflection is really important. For us to be aware of our flaws, our shortcomings, our idiosyncrasies, and we can live honestly about them in front of others, and that way we can exist in genuine community where the flaws that they see in us we see in ourselves and we can work on it together. If we can't be honest with ourselves and others, how can we expect people to welcome us into their lives. Honesty and who we are is important in forming relationships with others and find our place in a community. While everyone may not accept us as we are, we can be sure that Christ will, and as we embrace Jesus with open arms, he begins to change our perspective on life. Acceptance in the Kingdom of God is contrary to acceptance from the world's point of view. God isn't looking for fame, wealth and power in his people. He calls people his children, citizens and friends, despite where they were or where they're going. He's looking for the humble, generous, the meek, and the people who put others first. As Jesus is teaching his disciples in Matthew twenty, he tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. As it concludes, Jesus says, so the last will be first and the first shall be last. Zachias was first in the world, but he was certainly last in the Kingdom of God. But once he makes himself last in the world, he makes himself first in the Kingdom of God. Jesus's point is that there is no social hierarchy in heaven. All have sinned and all have been accepted. All are one in Jesus Christ, and the ground is equal at the foot of the Christ. Ask yourself what's most important to you? What have you been striving for in life? What do you want to be known for? Being accepted by God allows us to view the world a little bit differently. Where once money and success ruled over our lives, the forgiveness and love of God finds predominance. Being accepted by God produces tangible change in our lives. Jesus accepts us as we are, and he doesn't want us to stay the way he found us. God's acceptance doesn't mean he condones our sin and lifestyle and contradiction to him. He draws us in and welcomes us so that he might free us from what's been keeping us from moving forward. Here's an important point for us. Jesus dining with Sacchias and going into his home was by no means an admission that his lifestyle was good. But Jesus knows that when his present transformation will occur. You can't change someone's life if you're not willing to do life with them. You can't correct people's lifestyle over the fence. You have to go through their front door, sit at their table, and be with them. Don't expect to be effective in someone's life if you're not willing to walk through life with them. And this is an important warning for us as we talk on social media, as we are interacting online, are you trying to change people's lives without being willing to be a part of their lives. This is a very important thing for us to consider. The profound nature of God's love for us. Isn't that he just accepts us. It's that he wants what's best for us. God doesn't ignore you or tell you to change before he welcomes you to his family, nor does he invite you into his presence with the expectation that you'll be trapped under the weight of your sin. He gives us mercy to enter into his presence, but then he pours out grace to give us a better life. Paul explains it like this in Romans six, What shall we say? Then? Shall we go on sinning? That grace may abound by no means? If you're looking for acceptance, the search is over. Jesus came to this earth to seek and save the lost. He has found you in your brokenness, feeling like an outcast, and he gladly welcomes you to live life with him. Feel the warm embrace of his love. Find joy in knowing that you may not be perfect, but through the sacrifice of our Savior, God sees the righteousness of Christ placed upon you. And as you grow as a disciple, ask God to give you the same heart of acceptance towards others. Avoid labeling others and writing them off for what they've done. Don't overlook anyone because of their past, but rather see their potential. God's message is powerful enough to bring anyone from the darkest place and draw them into the light. The love of Jesus is unstoppable, and it's going to change your life if you allow it.