They all grumbled.

Luke 19:5-9, And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus was somehow drawn out of curiosity just to see what Jesus looked like. Yet he heard Jesus’ call, and received him with joy! The reaction of the crowd is disturbing, for how else should anyone come to be saved but by Jesus receiving one who is in dire need? Amazingly, Zacchaeus is even willing to give to the poor and to restore fourfold anyone whom he has defrauded! How wonderful that Jesus is ready to receive anyone who is lost and is willing to come to him. How amazing that he has been willing to receive me; am I willing to see others who seem to be beyond redemption come to him?

Give us your grace to pray for those who so desperately need you even though we are often like those who grumbled about you receiving Zacchaeus. We thank you that you are willing to receive all sinners who come to you!

ESV Lectionary