Jesus' Love Seeks & Transforms the Lost!

Hey Kingdom Shifter!

Welcome to Day One of our blog series, Falling in Love with Jesus! Throughout this series, we are shifting our hearts toward Jesus’ love and falling deeper in love with Him. And guess what? Welcome to The Worthy Cafe! ☕💛

This blog series pairs perfectly with the free resource Falling in Love with Jesus: A 3-Day Journey. This guide will walk you through the acronym LOVE and how you can use it in every passage of Scripture you read. It’s completely optional, but if you want to go deeper, I created it just for you! 😉

Alright, let’s grab our favorite cups of coffee or tea (because I know I’ve got some tea drinkers here), grab our Bibles, and let’s make our first shift by reading Luke 19:1-10.

Mmmm… Jesus & coffee—what a perfect combo! ☕✨

Okay, tell me I’m not the only one who started singing: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he…” Ha! Did I just take you back to VBS?! But for real—let’s dive into this story.

Jesus Had a Divine Love Appointment 💛

Jesus intentionally passed through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem. And I love this—because it wasn’t by accident. This was a divine love appointment to meet Zacchaeus!

Now, get this: the name Zacchaeus means “pure one.” That’s a little ironic, right? Because when we meet him, he’s actually a chief tax collector! Back then, tax collectors were hated by the Jews because they made their money by overcharging people. They were known for being dishonest and greedy.

Even John the Baptist addressed this, telling tax collectors:

Luke 3:13 (NLT) – He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

So let’s have a little heart check right here:

Have you ever judged someone based on what they do or how they look? How can you shift your heart to see people through Jesus' lens?

Zacchaeus’ Childlike Faith 🌿

Zacchaeus wanted so badly to see Jesus, but he had a problem—he was too short! But instead of giving up, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus. I LOVE this! He didn’t care what people thought—he was like, “Y’all already hate me, so what’s it matter if I look ridiculous climbing this tree? I just want to see Jesus!” 🙌 That's right there is childlike faith!

Then, Jesus walks by, looks up, and calls him by name:

“Zacchaeus! Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” – Luke 19:5 (NLT)

Y’all. Jesus saw his heart! Zacchaeus may have been a wee little man, but he had a big heart for Jesus! And the moment Jesus called his name, he took action!

Luke 19:6 (NLT) – Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

Imagine if he had stayed in that tree, overthinking… “Jesus, are You sure You’re calling me?” Nope! He didn’t hesitate—he took faith action! 🏃💨

Jesus Desires Relationship, Not Religion 🍽️

The crowd? Oh, they were MAD.

Luke 19:7 (NLT) – But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Ever felt misunderstood when you started following Jesus? When I gave my life to Christ, people didn’t get it. Some thought I was crazy. Some even grieved the “old Jessica.” But eventually, they either accepted it or walked away. And that’s okay—Jesus is worth it!

I also love that Jesus didn’t preach at Zacchaeus—He simply hung out with him. No judgment. Just love. And that’s what softened Zacchaeus’ heart. 💕

Transformation Happens When We Encounter Jesus 🔥

Zacchaeus responded to Jesus by repenting right there in his home:

Luke 19:8 (NLT) – “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

WOW. Talk about a heart shift! Zacchaeus thought he was seeking Jesus, but in reality? Jesus was seeking HIM.

Luke 19:10 (NLT) – “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

💛 Jesus loves YOU. 💛

If you’ve ever felt lost, Jesus is the answer. If you’ve ever felt unworthy, Jesus sees your heart. If you’ve ever felt stuck, Jesus wants to meet you right where you are.

And He wants you to receive Him with joy! Because when Jesus looks at you, He sees JOY! 🎉

Ready to Start a Relationship with Jesus? 🙌

If today’s coffee chat has stirred your heart, and you’re ready to start a relationship with Jesus, let’s pray together:

“Dear Jesus, I love You, and I’m ready to start a relationship with You. I admit that I am a sinner—please forgive me. I believe You died on the cross and rose again three days later. I confess that You are my Lord and Savior, and I commit my life to You! I love You, Jesus! Take over my life! In Your name, Amen!”

🎉 WOOHOO! Welcome to the Kingdom!! 🎉

Next week, we’re diving into The Prodigal Son! Can’t wait? Check out A Journey with the Samaritan Woman—all three blogs are linked in The Worthy Blog section!

See you next week at The Worthy Cafe! ☕💛

What coffee should we order next?! Let me know your coffee order below! 😉