The stated goal of the Association of Adventist Forums as proposed at its March 2003 mission and planning meeting is to encourage open, accepting Christ-like conversations to provide a more full expression of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

One of Christ’s conversations is found in Luke chapter 19. It is the story of Zacchaeus. Now Zacchaeus was a bad guy—he was a tax collector. As an accountant, I know it is said that tax laws and tax collectors are the accountant’s full employment act. However, I don’t like tax collectors any more than you do. Back in Bible times, the people didn’t like tax collectors either.

You recall the story. Jesus was passing through Jericho, and Zacchaeus wanted to see him. But being a short man, he could not see through the crowd. So he ran ahead, climbed a sycamore tree above the street, and waited for Jesus to pass by.

We are told about the beginning of the conversation when Jesus reached that spot. "Jesus looked up and said to him, ’Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down and welcomed him gladly" (vs. 5, 6).

The Bible does not tell us about the dinner conversation. But imagine with me for a moment. It must have been a profound conversation, because when the Bible picks up the conversation again, Zacchaeus is a changed man.

"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’" (v. 8).

Jesus concluded the conversation by saying, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham" (v. 9).

What a transforming conversation!! It is my prayer that AAF may continue to encourage open, accepting Christ-like conversations drawing individuals into deeper, fuller, richer communion with each other and with our Heavenly Father.

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