God clearly sees who we are and, without a doubt, He also knows what we are. That being said, “good” or “bad” doesn’t really factor into His vision for our future. God will always engage us in light of all that He intends for us to become. He sees each one of us through His eyes of love, hope and potential.
Walk back in history with me and consider Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus. We read of this encounter only in Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 19:1-10, and we observe that Jesus sees Zacchaeus. But more than that, He knows him, and He loves him, in spite of the objections and opinions of the crowd that had gathered around Him (cf. v. 7).
Zacchaeus was a publican, a collector of taxes, a man despised by the leaders of his own people. As are we, he was a most assuredly a candidate for the grace of God. Unlike us at times though, Zacchaeus “hurried and came down and received Him joyfully” (Luke 19:6). Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner; he did not attempt to deny it. Yet, immediately he responded to Jesus’ invitation and was marked by the faith to joyfully receive God’s loving grace, forgiveness and salvation.
God knows who we’re meant to be, and the possibilities that our futures hold. Jesus comes to us in view of our future, in all of the fullness of His intention and purpose for our lives. To get to our future however, we need to confront our past, and open our hearts to receive His loving grace and forgiveness. Thankfully, just like Zacchaeus, we need not be defined by our past or what others say about us. Confronting our past isn’t frightening when God’s in the process … for His hope, His forgiveness, His grace and His love are there as well. May we, like Zacchaeus, respond to Christ’s invitation to believe and receive without hesitation or reservation. Come … just as you are, see yourself through His eyes, and become all that Christ intends.
Maureen is an ordained minister in the Foursquare Church and a Certified John Maxwell Team Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Along with her husband Lance, she serves as a member of the Servant’s Council at The Church on the Way, where they also provide pastoral leadership for the Grief Recovery Ministries.
