Luke 19:2-5

2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."  (NLT)

 

Mark 10:13-16

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him. 14 But when Jesus saw what was happening, he was very displeased with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  15 I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."  16 Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. (NLT)

 

Jesus was always watching out for others, especially those who people looked down on. In the case of Zacchaeus he was a short small man that people looked down on (no pun intended) and who they despised because he was a tax gatherer for the Romans (the Jews despised the Romans). But what did Jesus do? He invited Zacchaeus to join Him in Heaven forever. Jesus looked at Zacchaeus’ heart not his outward appearance. Jesus did not judge him, but brought salvation to him.

In the case of the children -- Jesus did not believe children should be seen and not heard but He put them in the middle along with everyone else. He used the children to illustrate a very important lesson. We (as adults) are to humble ourselves as children to come to a saving knowledge and an intimate relationship with God the Father. Our faith is to be childlike. And what did Jesus do as the children came to Him in faith? "Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” That is a beautiful picture of His love and grace.

Jesus looked out for the little guy.

 

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