As you can imagine, property tax assessors and collectors have not always had the best track record when it comes to love from the public.  To the Jewish people in biblical times, tax collectors were especially hated.  They were seen as traitors to their own people because they chose to serve the Roman Empire.  Furthermore, they often collected far more than was due from the people.

A famous story in the Bible describes one of these property tax collectors, Zacchias.  Because he was especially short, not to mention hated, he decided to climb a tree to see Jesus as he came through town.  Much to his surprise, he was called out by Jesus and told to come down from the tree (the Sunday school songs are coming back to me).  Much to the frustration of the religious leaders, Jesus spent the rest of the day with Zacchias.  What was even more unbelievable to them was when Jesus said, “The tax assessors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”  How is that for a new perspective?