Luke 19:8 "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto The Lord, 'behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.'"
Zacchaeus was a publican...a tax collector. Tax collectors were among the most unpopular and even despised people in Israel. It was common knowledge that they made themselves rich by gouging their fellow Jews unfairly.
One day, Jesus visited Zacchaeus. The Bible makes no mention of Jesus rebuking him for living a dishonest lifestyle. Instead, Jesus showed him love by spending time with him. Before long, Zacchaeus stood up and declared to Jesus that he would restore fourfold to anyone he had taken from illegally. He also stated that he would give half of his goods to the poor.
Time spent with Jesus can change anyone's heart. Moments spent in His presence can change us as well. Without any kind of criticism, accusation or judgment, Jesus helped bring about an inward transformation in the heart of this man...and it seemed to have happened in a brief period of time. Then Zacchaeus began to outwardly respond to that inward transformation.
Verse 10 goes on to say that the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. The crowds of Jesus day were displeased that Jesus had gone home with the tax collector. The crowds today might respond in a much similar manner. But Jesus loved Zacchaeus,...and Zacchaeus responded to that love.
In every society, certain groups are considered to be "unapproachable". I remember ministering to a certain group one time, and being chided for spending time with them...but even now..Jesus wants to seek and to save those who are lost...and He isn't looking backward. He isn't looking at where they came from, or what they came out of. He longs to bring the lost into His kingdom.
We should never give in to pressure from people who are regarding someone's past, or the kind of life they've lived up until now..Jesus died for us ALL...and by Him..we are forgiven and made new! Hallelujah! Remember that Jesus invited HIMSELF to Zacchaeus house, and because of that outpouring of love..shown to a man that many considered "untouchable", Jesus was able to emphatically say, "this day is salvation come to this house" Amen!