Last Sunday, we continued and finish off the series "Grace Changes Everything."

Ptr. Joel Magpantay preached on salvation as shown in the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.

Jesus was traveling through Jericho. Zacchaeus was short, and curious and determined to see Jesus. Tax collectors were known to be crooks at that time, and as a chief tax collector Zacchaeus could be hated by the public. He ran ahead to where he knows Jesus will pass and climbed a sycamore tree. When Jesus reached his spot, he called out Zacchaeus by name and invited himself for dinner at Zacchaeus’ home because Jesus knew that Zacchaeus came and was seeking for him.

The crowd saw this and began to mutter perhaps they think less of Jesus associating with sinners like Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus stood up and offered half of his possessions to the poor and offered restitution to all he had wronged four times the amount he had cheated them. Jesus saw the intention of Zacchaeus’ heart and Jesus asserted that Zacchaeus had received salvation and reaffirmed that he is a son of Abraham - a call for the people to welcome and accept Zacchaeus’ repentance.

Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."  The final passage summarises Jesus' mission – why Jesus came here on earth. This was enough for Zacchaeus to understand that Jesus loves him regardless of him being a tax collector, being someone despised by society. Jesus sought Zacchaeus and made it possible for Zacchaeus to find him.

God does not wait for us to come to him or until we perfected our life and get our acts together. God sought and found us first God ordained everything through his mercy and his love for us. Isn’t it amazing that Jesus associates himself with us, sinners, loves us willingly! Jesus’ love changes us. This is grace.