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There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn't because of the crowd, because he was short. He ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up, saw him, and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." Luke 19:2–5 WEB.

Tax collectors were one of the lowest social classes in Israel during the ministry of Jesus. They were usually Jews that worked for the Roman occupiers to collect taxes from the people. They were considered traitors and hated by nearly everyone.

The Roman tax system was very complicated and used a process called "tax farming." The Romans auctioned the tax collecting jobs to the highest bidder. The winner would pay Rome in advance, then go and collect the taxes from the people. Whatever extra turned up, they could keep for themselves. The system was ripe with corruption, and the tax collector often had a group of thugs and enforcers with them. The tax collectors became very wealthy, while the people became poor.

There was a chief tax collector named Zacchaeus. When Jesus visited his town, the roadside was so crowded with people that Zacchaeus could not see Him. He was a short man and could not see over the others. So Zacchaeus ran on ahead and climbed up a tree to get a better view of Jesus. When Jesus came to the tree, He stopped, looked up, and called Zacchaeus by name. Then Jesus said that he had come to eat with him, that He must stay at his house that day.

Jesus passed by vast crowds of people to get to one that was desperate to see Him. He could just have quickly eaten at a priest's house. Instead, Jesus chose the one who was an outcast. The one who was so desperate that he would climb a tree just to get a glimpse of Him. Jesus went to Zacchaeus' house and spent time with him while the religious leaders stood outside and watched in jealous disgust.

The Lord loves the outcast. I grew up as one, but I have watched the Holy Spirit start a revival at my workplace during a dead season at our church. You may feel like you are standing in the back of the line, unnoticed, and disliked by everyone around you. But the Lord will pass by a thousand people to get to the one that desperately seeks Him. You shall seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me see people through Your eyes. Let me comfort the brokenhearted, heal the rejected, and recover the outcasts. I want more of You in my life. Lead me into all that You have for me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: The Creation Photographer theme of the week is "Standing Still” and is wide open for interpretation! Until we get our groups area going, we invite you to share your photos on the website home page. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.