RELATABLE: Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
BIG IDEA FOR THE WEEK: Jesus doesn’t wait for people to change—He meets them right where they are.
Key Takeaway: Loving like Jesus means going first, seeing people instead of just problems, and building connection before bringing correction.
HOW TO USE THIS DEVOTIONAL
This week’s devotionals are designed to help you reflect deeply on Luke 19:1–10 and how Jesus met Zacchaeus right in the middle of his mess. Each day, read the Scripture passage, then the reflection. Let it speak to your own life, and ask God how He wants you to put these truths into action. End each day with the prayer, and feel free to journal your thoughts and your next steps.
DAY ONE: Hiding In Plain Sight
READ: Luke 19:1–4 (NIV)
“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”
REFLECTION
Have you ever felt like you were hiding in plain sight? You’re there, in the room, going through the motions—but deep down you’re keeping your distance because you’re not sure anyone would accept the real you. That’s exactly where Zacchaeus found himself. He was a wealthy man, powerful in the eyes of Rome, but hated by his own people. He collected taxes, skimmed off the top, and built his life on transactions that left him rich but rejected. And yet, even with all his money and power, there was something missing in his life—a hunger for something real, for Someone who could see beyond his façade.
So he did something undignified for a man of his status: he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus. Zacchaeus was both searching and hiding at the same time. He wanted to see Jesus—but didn’t want Jesus to see him. He wanted to stay anonymous, to keep his distance, and maybe keep his secrets hidden.
And some of us know exactly what that feels like. We’re curious about God, but hesitant to get too close. We show up at church, but stay guarded because we’re afraid of what might happen if someone really knew our story. The beautiful truth of the Gospel, though, is this: Jesus doesn’t just notice crowds; He notices individuals. He knows how to find the person hiding in the back, the one who’s unsure, the one who’s desperate but afraid to admit it.
If you’ve ever felt unseen or stuck behind the crowd, remember this: Jesus is already looking for you. You might be up in your “tree,” trying to keep your distance, but He’s coming your way. He knows your name, and He’s not afraid of your mess. He doesn’t wait for you to clean it up—He steps into it.
JOURNAL PROMPT
What “tree” are you hiding in right now? Is there something keeping you from letting Jesus get closer to you?
If you’re honest, what’s one area of your life where you feel unseen or afraid of being found out?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You that You see me—even when I try to stay hidden. Thank You that You’re not put off by my mess or my mistakes. Help me come out of hiding and trust that You want to meet me right where I am. Give me courage this week to open my heart to You and to let You in. In Your name, amen.
DAY TWO: Going First
READ: Luke 19:5 (NIV)
“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’”
REFLECTION
Zacchaeus went looking for Jesus, but he never expected Jesus to come looking for him. He thought he’d stay hidden up in that tree, just another face in the crowd, watching from a safe distance. But Jesus stopped right under his branches, looked up, and called him by name. Before Zacchaeus could say a word, Jesus said, “Come down. I must stay at your house today.”
That’s the heart of the gospel. Jesus goes first. He doesn’t wait for us to clean up our lives. He doesn’t wait for us to figure out the right words to pray or the perfect way to approach Him. He steps toward us while we’re still figuring things out.
If you’re seeking today—maybe unsure if Jesus wants anything to do with you—know this: He sees you. He knows your name. And He wants to come close, even before you have it all sorted out. Like Zacchaeus, you might be hiding behind success, shame, questions, or fear. But Jesus stands right beneath your tree, calling you down, wanting to be part of your real life—not just the cleaned-up version.
But for those of us who already follow Jesus, this story isn’t just comforting—it’s a challenge. Because Jesus went first. And so often, we don’t. We wait for people to come to church, to bring up spiritual conversations, to say they’re ready for help. But Jesus didn’t wait for Zacchaeus to make the first move. He made it.
Believer, who in your life is still up in a tree, wondering if anyone sees them? Who’s hiding because they don’t know whether they’d be accepted? Jesus calls us to go first. To send the text. Start the conversation. Walk across the room. Invite ourselves into someone’s messy story the way He invited Himself into Zacchaeus’s house.
Sometimes people don’t even know they’re searching for Jesus until someone shows them that He’s searching for them. So, whether you’re hiding in the tree or standing safely on the ground—hear this: Jesus goes first. And He’s inviting us to do the same.
JOURNAL PROMPT
If you’re still exploring faith, what’s keeping you up in the tree right now? What questions or fears make you keep your distance?
If you’re a believer, who in your life has God placed on your heart—but you’ve been waiting for them to make the first move? What’s one simple step you could take this week to reach out first?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You that You came looking for Zacchaeus—and for me. Help me trust that You see me and want to come close, even when I feel unworthy or afraid. And if I already belong to You, don’t let me settle for safe and silent. Give me courage to go first. Open my eyes to people who are hiding in my world, and help me love them like You love me. In Your name, amen.
DAY THREE: Seeing People, Not Problems
READ: Luke 19:5 (NIV)
“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’”
REFLECTION
Zacchaeus had probably heard every insult in the book. “Thief.” “Traitor.” “Tax collector.” People didn’t bother using his name—they used his reputation instead. He was a label, not a person.
But on that day in Jericho, Jesus stopped, looked up into the branches, and said something no one expected: “Zacchaeus.” He called him by name.
Jesus didn’t see a problem to fix. He saw a person to love. He didn’t shout, “Hey sinner, get down here!” He spoke with dignity, recognizing Zacchaeus as someone who mattered. That moment changed everything.
If you’re a seeker today, maybe you’ve felt like Zacchaeus—defined by labels, mistakes, or rumors. Maybe people only see the surface of your story. Hear this: Jesus knows your name. He sees beyond your reputation or your struggles. You’re not a project to Him. You’re precious. He’s calling you down from the tree because He wants relationship, not just your rule-following.
Believer, this challenges us. We live in a world that loves labels: liberal, conservative, addict, divorced, atheist, “that kind of person.” But when we slap labels on people, we stop listening to their stories—and they stop trusting us with them. People become problems to fix instead of people to love.
Jesus shows us a different way. He looked past Zacchaeus’s shady business dealings and saw a searching heart. If we’re going to love like Jesus, we can’t just see the sin, the mess, or the politics. We have to look deeper—to see the person God made, the name God knows.
So, who in your life have you reduced to a label instead of recognizing their name? Maybe it’s a coworker who rubs you the wrong way. A family member whose choices frustrate you. A neighbor whose lifestyle challenges your comfort zone. Jesus calls us to see them as people, not problems.
JOURNAL PROMPT
If you’re exploring faith, what labels have you believed about yourself that keep you distant from God?
If you’re a believer, who’s one person you’ve labeled rather than loved? How could you see them by name instead of by category this week?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You that You see me—not just my mess, but my name. Help me believe that I’m more than my past, more than my mistakes, more than any label. And if I belong to You, teach me to love people the way You do. Help me see their worth, call them by name, and show them the grace I’ve received. In Your name, amen.
DAY FOUR: Connection Before Correction
READ: Luke 19:5-7 (NIV)
“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’”
REFLECTION
When Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree, He didn’t start with a lecture about tax fraud. He didn’t launch into a sermon about repentance. Instead, He said, “I must stay at your house today.” Jesus led with connection, not correction.
Imagine how shocking that was. Zacchaeus was the last guy anyone expected Jesus to eat with. The crowd began muttering, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” People were outraged that Jesus would choose to spend time with someone like Zacchaeus. But Jesus knew something they didn’t: people don’t change because they’re scolded. They change because they’re loved.
If you’re still figuring out what you believe, maybe you’ve assumed church is a place where you’ll be judged before you’re welcomed. Maybe you fear that Jesus wants to correct you before He’ll connect with you. But the truth is, He wants your heart before your habits. He wants relationship first. The meal came before the transformation.
Believer, this is a crucial challenge for us. We sometimes lead with critique instead of compassion. We want people to clean up their language, their politics, or their lifestyle before we feel comfortable getting close. But Jesus flipped that pattern. He shared a meal before addressing any moral issues. He built trust before teaching truth.
Ask yourself: when people interact with me, do they feel like a project or a person? Am I more focused on correcting them or connecting with them? Jesus didn’t compromise truth, but He never weaponized it. He built bridges with love, not walls of judgment.
JOURNAL PROMPT
If you’re exploring faith, what’s one fear you have about coming closer to Jesus or the church?
If you’re a believer, is there someone in your life you’ve kept at arm’s length because you’re waiting for them to “get it together”? How might you offer connection instead?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for wanting connection with me, even when I’m a mess. Help me remember that You welcome me just as I am. And if I know You, help me follow Your example. Teach me to build friendships, listen well, and show grace before I ever try to correct. Make me someone who loves like You. In Your name, amen.
DAY FIVE: When Love Leads to Change
READ: Luke 19:8-10 (NIV)
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”
REFLECTION
The moment Jesus invited Himself into Zacchaeus’s house, the entire story shifted. Zacchaeus didn’t stay the same man who climbed the tree to hide. Love found him there—but it didn’t leave him there. Zacchaeus didn’t give away half his wealth because Jesus forced him. He did it because grace grabbed hold of his heart. Transformation wasn’t demanded—it was a response.
If you’re exploring faith, maybe you worry that following Jesus will mean giving up everything you enjoy or value. And yes—Jesus changes lives. But not through shame or pressure. He changes hearts from the inside out. Zacchaeus wasn’t trying to buy forgiveness. He was overflowing with joy because Jesus saw him, welcomed him, and called him by name. Real change starts when you realize how deeply you’re loved.
Believer, this is our call and our caution. We’re not here to force people to change. We’re here to show them the kind of love that makes change irresistible. Zacchaeus didn’t respond to a religious lecture; he responded to a relationship. His generosity and repentance weren’t prerequisites for salvation—they were evidence of it. When Jesus comes close, people’s priorities shift. Hearts soften. Selfishness gives way to surrender.
Here’s the tension: Jesus didn’t wait for Zacchaeus to change before loving him. But once He loved him, Zacchaeus changed. And the same is true for us. Grace is free, but it’s never cheap. When you’ve been found, forgiven, and loved by Jesus, you start wanting to live differently—not to earn His love, but because you already have it.
JOURNAL PROMPT
If you’re seeking faith, what part of your life feels impossible to change? Can you bring that to Jesus, trusting He loves you as you are—and has power to help you grow?
If you’re a believer, where has following Jesus already changed your priorities? Is there an area where you’re still holding back from Him?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for meeting me right where I am—but loving me too much to leave me there. Change my heart like You changed Zacchaeus’s. Help me trust You with every part of my life. And if I know You, help me love people first, believing You’re powerful enough to transform them from the inside out. Let my life be evidence of Your grace. In Your name, amen.
