Let’s look for ways to enter into positive dialogue.

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

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Luke 19:5

Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

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

As a tax collector…he would have been a villain to the Jewish people.

He was getting rich off their backs while helping the oppressive government.

What seems to be the usual human reaction to such people?

They are ridiculed and ostracized.

But that is not what Jesus does.

Zacchaeus, who is described as short in stature, climbed a tree so he could get a glimpse of the much-talked-about preacher.

Jesus did not shun him…or even chide him…but instead invited himself to the tax collector’s house.

That was not a popular decision!

The people grumbled about Jesus going to “stay at the house of a sinner.”

Instead of being given the cold shoulder or rejected…as I’m sure Zacchaeus was used to…Jesus wanted to enter into relationship with him.

Jesus wanted to break bread and dialogue with him.

We, too, are called to listen to and dialogue with those we disagree with.

Who knows? Through doing this…we just may see a positive transformation occur in the other person…and in ourselves.

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Listen to the song of the day “All Are Welcome” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!