# data[].attributes.body
Zacchaeus was a tax collector when he heard about Jesus. The Jews opposed these taxes because they went toward the support of Rome’s secular government and its pagan gods. Nevertheless, they were required to pay the taxes. Zacchaeus was regarded as a “sinner” by the Pharisees. Tax collectors paid a fixed amount of tax to Rome; after that, they enriched themselves by forcing the public to pay far more than what Rome required. So, why did Jesus chose Zacchaeus? As we all know, Zacchaeus is a small man that he has to climb the sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. But it wasn't him who found our Lord and Savior. It was Jesus who found him. It was Jesus who chose him. It was Jesus who saw him. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus didn't really want to see Jesus. He did it all out of curiosity. Why was Jesus so famous that time? Who is this Savior that became the talk of the town? Those questions probably were in the mind of Zacchaeus. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, He immediately commanded him to go down and must abide in his house. People started gossiping about the Savior's decision but then again, as Zacchaeus was small, David was also. But David became the king of Israel and defeated Goliath. He fed 500 people with only 2 loaves and 5 fishes. God saw how small Zacchaeus was and how big his heart can be once he let Jesus in to his life.

Why does God chooses the less deserving for His favor? It's because we always think ahead of the Lord. See, none of us deserves any of what we have. We didn't deserve Jesus. We should be the ones who were crucified in the Calvary. We are all called to serve the Lord but not all of us will respond. We are given the eternal life but not all of us are willing to give up everything for the Lord. Zacchaeus gave up everything to follow the Lord's will.  It is stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 that it's not what we did, doing, or will do that can save us. It's not our works but only by the grace of our Lord are we saved from eternal damnation. Zacchaeus sinned. I sinned. You sinned. We all sinned. We are all sinners yet Jesus paid for it all in the Calvary. The sins Zacchaeus did were all nothing when he asked Jesus for forgiveness as if he was given a new life. As the song says, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back." Means that once we decided to let Him work in our lives, we are also saying that all that we were in the past will be forgotten. God is a gracious God. He gives salvation and loves unconditionally. In 1 Corinthians 5:17, everyone who accepted Jesus Christ is a new creation. We are all sinners but God doesn't look at what we did, but what we are going to do once we accepted Him. That's what I learned from the story of Zacchaeus.

# data[].attributes.body
As I step towards exploring my existence, I have seen different faces conquering various experiences. Respective rooms of comfort, shades of light to support, instilling the essence of uniqueness—I have found hope. And together with my thoughts through the enlightenment given by the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus, I come to realize personal learnings.

There are times that I tend to compare myself to other people thinking that they are luckier than I since I struggle more unlike them. But then the real idea of it is that, it is not important who is more fortunate than I am or you are. The most significant light must be; we are blessed through the power of our faith, we are blessed for Jesus came to seek the lost, last and least, and lastly we are indeed blessed for in this world we are capable to receive eternal salvation. On the other hand, I have seen the image of God not just in the actions of Jesus Christ or in the faith and eagerness of Zacchaeus to receive salvation but personally speaking, the image of God appeared in the presence of the sycamore tree. It was like serves as the tree for Zacchaeus to seek Jesus, to feel not as small as his height made him feel since Jesus tend to look up to him and he also felt being known by the Messiah by calling him through his name though he is a stranger.

We may have different faces and various experiences but at the end of the day there’s only one goal we have in this life we are enjoying, and that is the Divine Beatitudes which orders us not only for earthly possessions but towards the kingdom of heaven. Thus, living with dignity knowing that we are made alike with God’s image it is also essential to ask the Lord to utilize us to be like Jesus who came to seek for the lost. Truly, a life without cause is a life without effect.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Unexpected Moment of Jesus and Zacchaeus

# data[].attributes.subject
The Unexpected Moment of Jesus and Zacchaeus

# data[].attributes.body
In the short movie about Jesus and Zacchaeus, there are a lot of things that I noticed and there are something to ponder. Let me start with Jesus, at the first scenario it is obviously seen that Jesus is “The Father”. There is a crowd looking to Him which means everyone look up to Him and admire Him. Just like our own father in our house, we always follow them for they are the head of the family. Jesus also portrayed the “All Good/Love/Joy/Pure” image because He treats everyone fairly even though it is His first encounter with Zacchaeus, He treats him nice and smiled with no hesitation. He even talked to Zacchaeus casually. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the Sycamore tree, he immediately tell to Zacchaeus to go down and go to Zacchaeus’ house. In that simple act of Jesus, I can prove that the Common Image that people define Jesus is true. He is really a Father to all of us for He is the person we follow. He is full of goodness, full of love and joy, and pure to His actions. He is true to Himself and not picking the person whom He will just greet or talk to.

Moving on to the next character of the film, Zacchaeus. Since he is a tax collector, rich, and small, he accepted that no one will look up to him but he was surprised when Jesus recognized Him. In that moment, from his curiosity of who is Jesus, it turned out to be the start of everything. In Zacchaeus, he sees God as the humblest and honorable person in the village. Due to Jesus’ personality, it changed Zacchaeus perspective and made Him realize that Jesus is kind to everyone. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus to his house wholeheartedly and even surrendered himself to give his money and give it to the people who need it and made his own consequence if he will not do that. In that scenario, I have seen Zacchaeus’ dignity. He is serious on what he have said and he is not turning his back. He is hungry to achieve the true happiness which is to put it into action. From that scenario, he was saved from continuing his bad deeds or his way of collecting taxes.

The 15 minute video made me reflect in different angles. First, I am like Zacchaeus for I am small and literally cannot see Jesus however due to my strong desire to get to know Him, I am finding a way to do so. Second, just like what Zacchaeus did, I am also willing to surrender myself to Jesus and willing to change for the better. However, there are some things that made me and Zacchaeus different to one another. First, I believe that it is not Jesus who invited Himself to my place but it is me who knocks on His place and heart because He is the Almighty. Second, originally, Zacchaeus interest is money but in my case my personal interest is to search for pure happiness and love through my family and God. Lastly, Zacchaeus was already an adult when He fully accept Jesus while I already knew and accept Him since I was baptized. While watching the movie, what really struck me the most is Zacchaeus effort to see Jesus because I know that when I am in his situation I am also going to do the same thing.  For a person to get curious means his intention is true. It is such an exceptional moment for not anyone will dare to climb the sycamore tree to see a person. The story taught me that whoever you are, Jesus will humbly accept you. He is willing to open His arms and make you feel safe.  No matter what you did, he will understand you. He will welcome you to His kingdom and let you feel his unending love.

# data[].attributes.body
Zacchaeus is a wee little man, being small in physique, he is belittled and even after attaining such a wealth for being the tax collector, he was much more hated. He only wanted recognition and recognition it is that he got through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus look up at him and it was enough for him to feel appreciated. As a man belittled by his peers both physically and figuratively, being looked up to and chosen for a place to stay by the savior Himself, he is enlightened.  Enlightened in a way that he is willing to give half his life's work to those in need to show his gratitude towards Jesus who saw him for the little wee man that he was.

The story made me see, no it made me realize and appreciate how Jesus sees us - a child of God, equal and special. We all long for our presence to be acknowledged, we long for Him yet we cannot see how He had always looked at us. What I am trying to say is that - all these time we try to fill the void within us with material prosperity yet even after having such there's an emptiness within. That emptiness is to be fulfilled when we have wholeheartedly opened up and offer ourselves to Him. Like Zacchaeus has done, pure bliss was what he experienced after his encounter with Jesus and for that he gave half his riches to the needy. After all it is said that it is better to give than to receive - we receive His blessing daily and we just need to know what/how to make use of it leisurely and efficiently.

He, in all ways have provided us with all we need. It is up to us how to make use of it. God provides and we work our way into what He had given turning it into our joy or misery.

# data[].attributes.body
The story in Zacchaeus as recorded in the Gospel of Luke is one
in which a man restitution or his many sins. He has accepted by
Jesus. And Jesus comes in his home and this man enjoy's the
priveledge that each one of us long for, that actual gazing
upon Jesus. When Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, he has no idea
promptly that they would end with him getting half of his
possessions. He certaintly no idea that Jesus would end up
eating in his home. He only wanted to see who is Jesus but
wasn't planning any further than that.

I notice in the story, Jesus didn't wait for an invitation
rather invited himself into the home of Zacchaeus. And that is the moral
dimension of the story. Our God is not destined, illusive, and aloof from us.
Our God is constantly iniviting himself into our lives and the fact that
Zacchaeus have been already accepted by Jesus. It shows that asking for
forgiveness will always be met by the mercy of God. Jesus knocks on our door
constantly and if we will only opens that door we will received all the
blessings and salvation that he offers.