Do Bad Guys Go to Church? What My Son—and Zacchaeus—Taught Me About Grace

Our six-year-old is deep in his superhero phase. It’s not uncommon for Captain America to join me at the grocery store, or for Batman to show up at the beach. But most often, it’s his own invention: Mr. Green Cape—a superhero who comes alive whenever he wears head-to-toe green.

Watching his imagination unfold is one of the joys of parenting in this stage.

So when, one Sunday morning on our drive to church, he asked from the back seat, “Mommy, do bad guys go to church?”—I wasn’t completely surprised. This is, after all, the world he’s living in right now: good guys, bad guys, heroes and villains.

After a short pause, my husband and I both replied, “Yes. In fact, that’s the whole point of church.”

We explained that at some point, all of us make bad choices—that’s why we need Jesus. He’s the only one who can change our "bad guy" hearts and help us become the "good guys" who we were meant to be.

He thought to himself for a moment, and then followed up with a harder question:“What kind of church do bad guys go to?”

That question hit differently. After thinking for a moment, we said: “All kinds of churches. Anyone who wants to know Jesus should be welcome at any church that truly worships Him.”

He nodded, seemingly satisfied.. We pulled into the parking lot and went inside, dropping him off at kids' church while we headed into the main service.

A Test of My Words

As we found our seats, a couple sat down next to us—two men who, from their body language and wedding bands, seemed to be in a relationship. They looked a little uncertain, like they weren’t sure how they’d be received.

I’ll be honest: I felt a moment of discomfort. Not because I felt angry or judgmental, but because I suddenly became aware of how often I talk about welcoming everyone—and how little I’m tested on that in real life.

My son’s question came rushing back to me. Do “bad guys” go to church? What kind of church do they go to? Am I really living what I say I believe?

For the record, I believe God’s design for marriage is between one man and one woman. But I also believe that all of us—no matter our struggles, our backgrounds, or our beliefs—need Jesus. And that no one should have to “clean up” before they’re allowed to come close to Him.

In that moment, I had to ask myself: Am I willing to sit beside someone different from me, maybe even someone who challenges my comfort level, so they can have a chance to meet Jesus?

Zacchaeus, the "Bad Guy" Who Got a Dinner Invite

My thoughts drifted to one of my son’s favorite Bible story songs: Zacchaeus was a wee little man…

We sing it often during family devotions, and I’ve always found it a little quirky. I mean, really, why of all stories did this one get put to music? But recently, I’ve realized how powerful that story really is.

Zacchaeus wasn’t just a short guy in a tree. He was a tax collector—a man who took more than he should from his fellow Jews to line his own pockets. People saw him as a traitor and a thief. In his town, Zacchaeus was the “bad guy.”

And yet, when Jesus passed by, He looked up at that man in the tree—someone He had never met—and called him by name, saying, “Zacchaeus, come down. I’m coming to your house today.”

Jesus didn’t just tolerate Zacchaeus. He wanted to dine with him. To be in his space. To see his walls, his table, his life. And that kind of personal, compassionate love changed Zacchaeus. He repented. He gave back what he had taken—four times over—and became a new man.

The Kind of Church Jesus Built

That’s the kind of encounter I want people to have at my church.

If someone walks in—carrying brokenness, addiction, confusion, or shame—I want them to feel seen. Known. Welcomed. Not because we approve of every lifestyle or decision, but because we know the only true change comes after someone meets Jesus—not before.

And the truth is, if sinners aren’t welcome at my church, then I shouldn’t be there either. My sins may be more socially acceptable or easier to hide, but they’re still real. I need grace, every single day.

So… What Kind of Church Do “Bad Guys” Go To?

They go to churches that look like Jesus.

Churches that tell the truth, but tell it with love.Churches that welcome people in and trust that the Holy Spirit can do the work of transformation.Churches that offer space for Zacchaeus to climb a tree, catch a glimpse of Jesus, and maybe, just maybe, sit down to dinner with Him.

I hope the couple who sat next to me felt a little less nervous by the end of the service. I hope they come back. I hope they felt like our church was a safe place to encounter the Savior who sees them—who sees all of us—and says, “I’m coming to your house today.”

What about you?What kind of church do you want to be part of?What kind of church do you want your kids to grow up in?Are you willing to be a little uncomfortable, so someone else can meet Jesus?