Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector of Jericho

["Click here for Luke's account"]

Another event occurred in the life of Christ while in Jericho and we are indebted to Luke for recording it for us. Surly many such events as this occurred that were not recorded, so why was this one? Why Zacchaeus, and why Jericho? Remember in our study of the destruction of Jericho by the Lord under the leadership of Joshua, there was a curse put upon anyone who tried to rebuild the city, but it would appear that Jesus honored this city. Again we see the mission of forgiveness. Under Christ, the curse was rescinded.
Notice Zacchaeus had a curse, he was a despised tax collector, a publican, even worse, a chief publican. He was a rich Jew. Jesus had just spoken about the rich and how hard it was for them to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and now, here comes a rich man who was lost and became "found", without being reduced to nothing as the prodigal son was, before asking for forgiveness and accepting salvation.
As Jesus approached down the street, Zacchaeus, being shot, climbed up into a sycamore tree so that he could see. Many used varied and ingenious ways to get to see Jesus. Curiosity has brought many people to Jesus. The Greeks came many miles to Jerusalem and found Philip and said, "Sir, we would see Jesus." Zacchaeus was short and lost in the crowd so he climbed up into a tree.
Pride did not get in the way of Zacchaeus, he forgot his position, he forgot his pride and he forgot that he was rich. He ran, like a child, and climbed a tree. This tells us something about seeing Jesus. There is no set pattern, no set approach, no way too hard or childish, those who would see Jesus will use any means at their disposal, to see Jesus, even as we have seen, removing a roof off of a courtyard.
Jesus never overlooked anyone who was sincerely looking for Him. Looking up into the tree, He invited Himself to Zacchaeus's house. Zacchaeus had come only to look, never dreaming that Jesus would even talk to a despised tax collector let alone, come into his house. What a joy must have come into this little man's heart, he could not believe that Jesus knew his name and bid him to hurry down and join Him. Surly Zacchaeus must have said to himself, "I must make haste, He has put much honor upon my house."
So Zacchaeus, received Jesus into his house and into his heart also. Now wouldn't it be nice if the story stopped there? But no, some pious Jews complained "He has gone to be a guest in the home of a sinner." Isn't that terrible? Isn't Zacchaeus a tax collector? Aren't all tax collectors sinners? No, not all tax collectors were dishonest. We must not lump all people of the same vocation, in the same mould. God judges what we are, not necessarily our vocation.
These "pious complainers" did not know that Jesus had come to save sinners so where would a physician go but to the sick. Notice what came of the visit to Zacchaeus' house.

Zacchaeus accepted Christ.
He repented of every unjust thing that he had ever done.
Half of his goods he gave to the poor. Perhaps the needs of others had gone unnoticed in his life before.
Anything that he had taken by false accusation, he returned four fold. Perhaps He had taken taxes unjustly, most tax collectors did. He certainly had the opportunity, but now he no longer had the appetite for it.

Then Jesus declared what had already happened, "This day, salvation has come to this house." Not only did Jesus save his soul, but He also restored his inheritance. He had been born a Jew but being a publican, he was to the Jews, a heathen. Through Christ, all who believe become Sons of Abraham, heirs of the Covenant of Grace. So Jesus came to save the lost, not only those who sought to see him as Zacchaeus did, but also those who could not see him, like blind Bartimaeus.

Previous Chapter

Return to Outline

Ask Questions

Next Chapter