Host (Zach) (21:41)
We've all been on the giving and receiving end of acceptance. Likewise, we've all likely been on the giving and receiving end of rejection. Whether we're up against prejudice, an unfavorable experience, or gossip from others, the battle for acceptance is a daily struggle for us. But it's not impossible to overcome. We read in Romans 15 to accept one another. Then, just as Jesus has accepted us, God has accepted us and we have this calling to accept each other. Zacchaeus had long lived without the acceptance of others. He chose a life that put his well being and security first, above those in his community. We don't know why Zacchaeus chose this. It's possible to speculate as to why. Maybe he was already kind of on the fringes of society. Maybe he was rejected by friends. Maybe he wasn't really accepted. For whatever reason, Zacchaeus decides to rise within the ranks of the tax collectors. Basically lap dogs of the Roman government, he had risen to the ranks as chief tax collector and had great rewards because of it. He had land, he had a house, nice clothes and a savings. There wasn't much more he could ask for regarding wealth, but that doesn't mean he had everything he needed. While he may have found everything he needed materially, what Zacchaeus lacked was much more profound as he felt the emptiness inside. Emotionally drained, socially outcasted, and spiritually dry, there was a lot he was lacking in the areas that mattered most. Perhaps you found yourself in this situation. You have everything that you need materially, but you still feel this pit in your stomach. Or maybe you've achieved a lot in life. You've pursued your dreams and you've attained the goals that you sought out to attain. But at the end of it all, you still feel lack. In our story, we see Zacchaeus honest with himself about these feelings as his fellow citizens threw insults his way, spitting at his feet. He held his head high, but in his heart he was burdened with knowing that it was all true. You see, sometimes the scorn and ridicule we receive from people hurts most because we know that it has A tinge of truth to it. When it comes to acceptance, we have to be honest with ourselves. What sort of lifestyle have we been leading? What kind of friends have we been? What areas of our lives genuinely need to change? Where have we allowed ourselves to drift from the heart of God? The people who care about us aren't looking for us to be perfect, but they're looking for us to be honest with ourselves and transparent about our flaws. There's nothing worse than a glaring flaw someone has that they are painfully unaware of. This is a very good way to become a social outcast. You see, people are very gracious with mistakes. People are very gracious with quirks and flaws, but they're less gracious when it seems like you're not aware of it at all. This is why radical self reflection is really important for us to be aware of our flaws, our shortcomings, our idiosyncrasies, and we can live honestly about them in front of others. And that way we can exist in genuine community where the flaws that they see in us, we see in ourselves, and we can work on it together. If we can't be honest with ourselves and others, how can we expect people to welcome us into their lives? Honesty in who we are is important in forming relationships with others and finding our place in a community. While everyone may not accept us as we are, we can be sure that Christ will. And as we embrace Jesus with open arms, he begins to change our perspective on life. Acceptance in the kingdom of God is contrary to acceptance from the world's point of view. God isn't looking for fame, wealth and power in his people. He calls people his children, citizens and friends, despite where they were or where they're going. He's looking for the humble, generous, the meek, and the people who put others first. As Jesus is teaching his disciples. In Matthew 20, he tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. As it concludes, Jesus says, so the last will be first and the first shall be last. Zacchaeus was first in the world, but he was certainly last in the kingdom of God. But once he makes himself last in the world, he makes himself first in the kingdom of God. Jesus point is that there is no social hierarchy in heaven. All have sinned and all have been accepted. All are one in Jesus Christ, and the ground is equal at the foot of the cross. Ask yourself, what's most important to you? What have you been striving for in life? What do you want to be known for? Being accepted by God allows us to view the world a little bit differently. Where once money and success ruled over our lives, the forgiveness and love of God finds predominance. Being accepted by God produces tangible change in our lives. Jesus accepts us as we are, and he doesn't want us to stay the way he found us. God's acceptance doesn't mean he condones our sin and lifestyle in contradiction to Him. He draws us in and welcomes us so that he might free us from what's been keeping us from moving forward. Here's an important point for us. Jesus dining with Zacchaeus and going into his home was by no means an admission that his lifestyle was good. But Jesus knows that when he's present, transformation will occur. You can't change someone's life if you're not willing to do life with them. You can't correct people's lifestyle over the fence. You have to go through their front door, sit at their table and be with them. Don't expect to be effective in someone's life if you're not willing to walk through life with them. And this is an important warning for us as we talk on social media, as we are interacting online. Are you trying to change people's lives without being willing to be a part of their lives? This is a very important thing for us to consider. The profound nature of God's love for us isn't that he just accepts us. It's that he wants what's best for us. God doesn't ignore you or tell you to change before he welcomes you into his family. Nor does he invite you into his presence with the expectation that you'll be trapped under the weight of your sin. He gives us mercy to enter into his presence, but then he pours out grace to give us a better life. Paul explains it like this in Romans 6 what shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? By no means. If you're looking for acceptance, the search is over. Jesus came to this earth to seek and save the lost. He has found you in your brokenness, feeling like an outcast, and he gladly welcomes you to live life with Him. Feel the warm embrace of his love. Find joy in knowing that you may not be perfect, but through the sacrifice of our Savior, God sees the righteousness of Christ placed upon you. And as you grow as a disciple, ask God to give you the same heart of acceptance towards others. Avoid labeling others and writing them off for what they've done. Don't overlook anyone because of their past, but rather see their potential. God's message is powerful enough to bring anyone from the darkest place and draw them into the light. The love of Jesus is unstoppable, and it's going to change your life if you allow it. This is an I Heart podcast.
