Do You See Me?
“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
Luke 19:5
As children of God, we are called to live in community with others. A purpose filled life is not lived in solitude. That was never God’s plan from the very beginning. God said it was “not good” for humans to be alone (Genesis 2:18). God is a triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God himself is relational and living in unified community is an expression of our Imago Dei (being made in the image of God).
But what is one question that all of humanity asks? ‘Do you see me?’ In other words, am I worthy of your time, effort, and attention? That’s the heartache that Zacchaeus no doubt had. An outcast as a wealthy chief tax collector, thriving off the unjust Roman taxation system.
Zacchaeus - Unloved by most. Unseen by everyone. Until Jesus.
These 11 words changed not only the course of his life, but his entire identity. Jesus knew him by name, showed him the urgency of his desire to spend time with him, and honoured him within an honour-shame culture by staying at his house.
Jesus didn’t care about the social cost, or about ‘being the guest of a sinner.’ He exemplifies how we are to live within community. He cared about Zacchaeus’ identity, worth, value, dignity, and salvation. He gave him time, he encouraged him, taught him, and ultimately showed him that he was seen, and he was loved.
Who is it that God is calling you to see today? Ask God to make it known to you, with specific ways that you can speak life into them today.