The Gospel of Luke 19:7 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” (Luke 19:7 KJV).

This verse exposes the clash between human judgment and divine grace. When the crowd of religious and law-based-mindset people that followed the Lord Jesus Christ on His way to Jerusalem witnessed that He chooses to visit the home of Zacchaeus - a corrupt tax collector, they grumble. These religious crowd marked Zacchaeus as a public sinner. And they judged the Lord Jesus for opting to associate with him. These people operate under a "works-based" religious system, akin to the present day world environment. They believe that God's presence is reserved only for the morally qualified and “people’s award recipients” whose names are marked on their “good works”.

The Lord Jesus who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14), instead of condemning Zacchaeus or giving him a list of rules to observe, He offered him acceptance and friendship. He embraced Zacchaeus by His radical grace and love. This highlights that He did not wait for Zacchaeus to clean up his life before offering salvation. He extended His grace and love first, as He did to us all even when we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). The process of renewal and transformation starts to manifest in a person upon experiencing this unconditional love of the Lord, that triggers a change in Zacchaeus. The Lord’s unmerited favor gave Zacchaeus the power to freely repent and freely give. Which reminds us all of the Lord’s instruction: “You received without paying; give without pay.” (Matthew 10:8b ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

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