All of us have done things in our lives that we regret, and some people are still doing them. Initially some were attempting to make changes, but others would not believe they were capable of doing it. Therefore, they stopped trying, harden their hearts, and became insensitive to others. There is an individual in Luke 19:1-10 name Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, who stole from people and had the Roman government on his side. Tax collectors were responsible for getting the taxes from people. However, some would collect extra for themselves. When an Israelite became a tax collector, the entire community would turn their backs on him. We see it in this story, when Jesus was passing through Jericho Zacchaeus was trying to see him. He was short and the crowd would not make a way for him, because he was a chief tax collector. In order for him to see Jesus, he had to climb a tree. When Jesus saw him, he told him to come down, because Jesus was going to stay with him. The crowd began to grumble about Jesus staying at the house of a sinner. They did not realize He had a plan for this man.

Through this encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus had an awakening, and realized the errors he had made. This man told Jesus, he would give half of his possessions to the poor. Also those he defrauded, he would pay back four times as much. This was all part of the Lord’s plan, but the crowd was fixed on seeing this man as a sinner.

I want you to know no matter how people have defined you because of what you have done, Jesus will redefine you. When you encounter Jesus you will experience an awakening, and your life will never be the same. It’s all part of the Lord’s plan for you.