The Essence of the Man

Enjoy this message from Pastor Tyler Schoenberger called "The Essence of the Man" on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Reach Church in Bear, Delaware!

The encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus demonstrates the radical, transformative power of grace. Zacchaeus was not merely a tax collector but a chief tax collector - a Jewish man who had betrayed his own people by exploiting them for personal gain while supporting Roman oppression. He was universally despised and lived under constant condemnation from his community.When Jesus chose to visit Zacchaeus's home, He scandalized the crowd who expected Him to condemn this notorious sinner. Instead, Jesus offered grace without conditions, love without prerequisites. This wasn't popular - it made the crowd grumble rather than cheer.

Grace often costs us favor with others because it challenges our sense of fairness and justice.The remarkable result was immediate transformation. Zacchaeus voluntarily offered to give half his possessions to the poor and restore fourfold what he had stolen. This change didn't come through guilt, fear, or coercion, but through the softening power of unconditional love. Grace creates new life from old, transforming hearts in ways that correction and rebuke cannot. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same essence - stepping into others' brokenness rather than pointing at it from a distance, showing radical love to those society has written off.