Title: The Critical Crowd / Topic: Pleasing God

Today’s Reading: Genesis 47; Genesis 48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

Scripture: Luke 19:5-7
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"

Observation: Jesus reaches out to a notorious person, Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector which meant he was a collaborator with the Romans against his own people and he profited greatly from it. He was hated and resented by the people. I notice the contrast between the responses of Zacchaeus and the people. Zacchaeus obeyed instantaneously and welcomed Jesus with joy. The people were critical and spoke negatively against Jesus. They didn't like the fact that He was being nice to Zacchaeus.

Application: It's amazing that people get so ugly because something good is happening to another person. It shows the propensity for people to go negative easily. This is one of the great challenges of leadership. Even if you do something really wonderful, like Jesus was doing here, showing mercy to Zacchaeus, people will attack you for it. This is another reminder that Jesus' opinion is the only one that counts. If you please Jesus, it really doesn't matter who you displease.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being a just and merciful God. I thank You that people like Zacchaeus get a second chance to experience Your grace. Help me to do good, as Jesus did. And help me to focus on pleasing You, regardless of the approval or disapproval of others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.