Cornelius FastEgzanp

Day 19 – Jesus welcomes sinners (everyone qualifies!) 

Reflect

The religious leaders could not get past the fact that Jesus associated with tax collectors - Jewish collaborators with Rome, along with all other sorts they considered “sinners”. To eat with someone meant that a relationship was created with that person. That was precisely what Jesus meant to do. It was the same in the account where Jesus invited Himself to stay at the home of Zacchaeus, also a tax collector. (Lk 19:1-9) The result of that encounter was a contrite man, ready to give his possessions to the poor and make restoration to anyone he had defrauded. Jesus’ friendship did more for Zacchaeus than all the teaching of the Pharisees.

Respond

Do I expect people to come up to what I consider an acceptable standard before I can extend friendship to them? What can I do to push out of my comfort zone and live with a more open heart and mind?