Read:
Zacchaeus wasn't the kind of person most people admired. He had wealth, but it came from others’ pockets. He was well-known, but not well-liked.
But when he encountered Jesus, everything began to change.
What stands out most is how visible that change was. Zacchaeus didn’t just feel remorse for his crooked actions—he responded publicly. He ran away from his life of taking from others to line his own pockets, and toward a life of generosity.
That’s repentance: running away from your old, harmful patterns and toward the greater things God wants for you. Repentance is one of the bravest things a person can do. It means being honest about where you've messed up and letting Jesus lead you in a new direction.
Zacchaeus reminds us that no one is too far gone for that kind of transformation. You are not too far gone. Jesus forgives you—and more than that, he can change you. It isn’t always as quick and dramatic as Zaccheus's transformation, but it’s just as impactful.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to change me. Show me what I need to turn away from and what you’re calling me toward instead. Give me courage to be honest, repent, and follow you in a new direction. Amen.