Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus is not just a story about a funny little man who climbed a tree two thousand years ago. It is also a pattern for our response to Christ - driven by eagerness to simply be in Jesus' presence, Zacchaeus is challenged through an encounter with Him and radically re-orientates his life as a result.

Jesus shows how our failings and sin are redeemed and forgiven, as long as we honestly recognise them.

When Jesus calls a tax collector to be his disciple, we see two very different responses; joy and bitterness. It's challenging to reflect on where we sit in that narrative, do we see the acceptance and forgiveness of others as something to be celebrated, or as taking away from our own happiness?

In a culture obsessed with success and celebrity, Jesus challenges us to embrace humility. When we live for others we find a true beauty and meaning in our actions.

The call to discipleship is a call to serve others. Jesus shows us how those with authority are to live - they are to serve, care and show humility. To put others before ourselves often feels counterintuitive, but as we draw closer to Christ, the Spirit shapes and moulds us into His likeness.

Christ challenged the assumptions of many, that the Law of God was the heart of faith. Instead He shows us how loving others, even when it breaks the letter of the law, is truly what living as a full human involves.

We must not overlook the importance of being spiritually prepared for life’s unpredictability by building faith, practicing perseverance, and choosing contentment regardless of circumstances. We should strive to live out faith daily as role models, valuing forgiveness, and trusting in God’s plans even when the future is uncertain.

Each of us centers our lives around something or someone. Jesus warns his followers to be careful about what this center is, as not all are equally valuable.

The promise of God's new creation is a promise of hope; it is a promise of a new and eternal life. Regardless of all our failures and weaknesses in this one, we will be perfected when Chris returns and we join Him in resurrected glory.

The Creed calls the Church 'one, holy, catholic and apostolic'. It's easy to look at the Church sometimes and feel like this description isn't totally accurate. Despite this, we remember that the Church is grounded in the One Lord, Jesus Christ, who is holy beyond comprehension, who offers salvation to all and whose teachings and authority has been passed through his apostles down to us.

The Holy Spirit enriches our lives, speaks to us and changes us. From Genesis 1 we see Him present in our world transforming and creating; as we walk with Jesus, He works in us to transform and create a new creation brimming with abundant life.

In April AD 33 human history changed; after the crucifixion of Jesus, things would never be the same again. In the sacrifice Jesus makes on the cross we see Sin defeated, humanity cleansed and the image of God in us restored.