The scripture for today is Luke 19:7

Luke 19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
 
When Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree, He saw a man in need of a Savior. All the Pharisees saw was a sinner, a tax collector, which was synonymous with "public thief." Yes, the man was a sinner; yes, he had issues. He was not looked upon with favor by most of the people. But Jesus was not concerned with what the man was, he saw what he could become. He decided to go home with this man, the sinner. He did not ask Zacchaeus to change his life before He would come to visit him, nor did Jesus place any extra requirements upon him. He knew that Zacchaeus was a man who was searching and, although he had lived a life of sin, that did not exclude him from a visit from the Master.

All of the self-righteous people who observed the behavior of Christ had nothing good to say about His decision. They would never be seen keeping company with such a man as Zacchaeus, let alone go to his house as a guest. In their self-righteousness, they assumed a position that is the very opposite of the nature of God. Their responses revealed who the master of their souls really was.

Jesus does not look at us based on our goodness nor does he accept us because we "have it all together." He is willing to come to us in our darkest and most sinful condition. He knows that He alone has the cure for what ails us. Yes, we may be sinners, but when He comes to visit our lives, He brings the cure for our sickness of sin. He is not seeking the self-righteous, He is seeking those who recognize their need and are willing to climb a tree if necessary to see the Master. Christ always responds to a seeking heart; He will not walk past one who is looking for Him. "For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim