Dialogue can end divisions.

(Listen to my song “All Are Welcome” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Luke 19:5-7

Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”

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Zacchaeus wanted to get a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by with a crowd of followers…but because Zacchaeus was short in stature…he climbed a tree to be able to get a look.

Zacchaeus was described as a “chief tax collector” and a “wealthy man.”

He was quite the sinner in the eyes of the Jews.

They would not have associated with him.

Jesus could have simply ignored him, lectured him on his wrongdoings, or he could have organized an “anti-Zacchaeus demonstration” at his home.

But instead…Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus and invited himself to the tax collector’s house to stay with him.

Is this how we treat someone we disagree with? 

Or do we shun and ridicule such people?

Due to Jesus’ visit and dialogue with Zacchaeus…he changed his ways.

Perhaps we should re-think how we treat those whom we disagree with or who don’t live up to our standards.

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Listen to the song of the day “All Are Welcome” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!