Mending Broken Pieces

Devotional 56

The Labels People Put on Us

Have you ever found yourself being so curious about seeing someone that you would do whatever it took to see that person? I think of Queen Elizabeth. When she visited our city a long time ago, crowds of people lined the streets just to get a glimpse of her. This incident reminds me of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 (NLT). He was also determined to see Jesus, who was visiting his neighborhood that day.

I am sure Zacchaeus had heard many good reports about Jesus, so his curiosity to see him was even more heightened. However, he was too short, so he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, hoping to see Jesus (Luke 19:2–4). Can you picture him up in the tree, waiting in anticipation for Jesus to pass by? You wonder—did he just want to get a good look at Jesus, or was his heart longing for something more?

Not only did Jesus know Zacchaeus was up in that tree, but he saw deep into his heart. He knew all the thoughts he was thinking, including his intentions, longings, and frustrations. Zacchaeus must have thought he was well hidden in that tree. I can imagine how shocked he was when Jesus looked up and called out to him, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today” (Luke 19:5). This was an opportunity Zacchaeus couldn’t afford to miss. He was overjoyed, but the crowd was displeased. The people in that town had already labeled Zacchaeus as a “notorious sinner.” As someone flawed.

What kind of labels are people putting on you, or are you putting on yourself?

Thank goodness, Jesus’ thoughts are so much different from ours. Jesus plainly told Zacchaeus, “The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10). This must have been a completely new doctrine for some of the religious groups. But you see, Jesus isn’t concerned about piousness and vanity, he came on earth to save the lost—those who are broken, unloved, cast out, abandoned, and rejected by others. That’s the reason he purposely sought out Zacchaeus. He was interested in his soul, his well-being. He saw his bleeding heart.

Zacchaeus hoped to get just one glimpse of Jesus, but Jesus had something much more in store for him. We may anticipate little droplets of blessings, but God always has something far beyond our imagination—something beautiful and worth waiting and living for. When life doesn’t seem to offer us much, our portion seems scanty, or we find ourselves shutting down because we don’t feel valued by others, what is our response? Or what is God saying to us?

Note: when Jesus told Zacchaeus he was going to his house, with great excitement, he came down that tree and took him to his house (v. 6). He didn’t have any second thoughts. I don’t see him wondering whether Jesus would rebuke him for his dishonest lifestyle. Jesus’ call to him was from a place of love and purity of heart. Jesus saw how much Zacchaeus was consumed with his crooked lifestyle. But he also saw there was a deep, burning desire in his heart to personally know this Jesus, whom he had been hearing about.

I’m sure Zacchaeus heard the grumblings of the townspeople. He saw the way they reacted. He must have felt their rejection. Their disapproval of his “notorious” lifestyle (Luke 19:7).

When Jesus comes on the scene, his purpose is always to bring transformation. In that house, as Jesus ministered to Zacchaeus, his heart was drawn to Jesus’ love, and God changed his heart. Zacchaeus couldn’t refrain from making this beautiful commitment: “I will give half [of] my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” (Luke 19:8). I’m sure if the critics were in that room, it would have blown their minds. But not Jesus. When he comes in, we do not hold onto past sins.

Yes, new commitments will take place. Our minds will open to God and his ways. His purpose for our lives will matter more than anything else. It is no wonder Jesus told Zacchaeus, “Salvation has come to this home today” (Luke 19:9). Indeed, when we commit our lives to God, we will experience his delivering power. We will experience joy.

Declaration

God has given me a new start.

“[I am] God’s masterpiece. He has created [me] anew in Christ Jesus, so [I] can do the good things he planned for [me] long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). Salvation has come to my house, so now I will walk in God’s ways. The Lord is now my Savior and Redeemer. He has set me free from past sins. Through Christ, I have a new life. He has a beautiful plan for my life.