This is a line from the verse Luke 19, said by Jesus, about a most unlikely man.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector – think of an IRS agent motivated to tax you because he kept some of the bounty. He seems to have heard of Jesus, so he climbed a tree to get a better look as he traveled by. Jesus asked him to come down and invited himself over for dinner. At dinner, Zacchaeus declared he would give half of his wealth to the poor and return to those he defrauded a multiple of what he stole. Jesus then made the afore mentioned statement.

It’s not that he gave half of his possession or offered to restore four times what he took from others that lead to Jesus declaring Zacchaeus’ salvation. These actions were a reflection of his heart, which is the only thing Jesus really cares about.

It is our true self that carries out our intentions.

Matthew 23:25-29 is a metaphor of the same. Who would drink from a cup clean on the outside and filthy inside. It’s the inside of the cup that matters.

The tension here is that I may think my inside is pure as I like to think of myself as a pretty good person. However, if I’m honest with myself, how about the thoughts I had about the driver that cut me off earlier today? Or the snarky comment whispered about someone standing in a line ahead of me at the store? The little white lie I told to elevate myself just slightly to my co-workers at my new job?

Are “little” impure actions the reflections of my actual heart?

Sadly, we are all subject to being include in this fallen world in which Jesus will return with glory and make right again someday. So, what can I do about this now?

Submitting to Jesus, your whole life. Agreeing with him that he’s King and you are not. Read his word, pray and work to understand what he would have you do, then do it. Are we a part of God’s Kingdom family if we do all the right things? We are part of his family with a true heart change, which appears on the outside as obedience.

Are you willing to make this decision, to trust in Him and live out a real, life-giving faith? And if you follow Jesus already, what uncomfortable thing or sacrifice will you make today that is aligned with his will?