Do you have a Zacchaeus in your life?

Jesus looks up at Zacchaeus’ and said, “Come down, I must go to your house...” and with these words Jesus brought healing (inner healing) into the life of this little man, this tax collector, this sinner.This little man was an outcast. He was excommunicated from his Jewish society. Everyone hated, ridiculed, belittled this man. He was a traitor, a thief, a thug. He was working for the enemies of Israel.It is amazing to me that contrary to the culture in which Zacchaeus lived, Jesus paused, looked and loved this man. In one moment with a few simple words and a home visit Jesus open the eyes of this man to the King and His Kingdom.It seems to me that we are living in the midst of a world that has simply been pushed to the edges of God’s Presence by the rules of the reigning religious leaders. Many of these people are willing to climb a tree in order to catch a glimpse of the possibility of Real Love.God never disappoints, He always loves. Why? Because He is love! He loves at all times, in every situation, radically!That Love... those healing words, “...I must have supper with you,” changed Zacchaues! He responded to the mercy of Christ, not only with a confession of Lordship, but by making restitution for his life!What the reigning religious leaders were unable to accomplish with all their rules and regulations, Christ accomplished, by merely, pausing, looking, and loving. I am convinced that it is the “raw, radical, real love” of God that will transform humanity.“He sent His Word and healed our disease...” Healing words! We need to be speaking more “Healing Words.” Words that bring life and not death. Words that encourage. Words of mercy, not judgment! Word’s of Reconciliation!You and I are to be witnesses of His Word. The manfiested Word, the manifested Love will transform the Zacchaeus’ of this world.