Luke 19:1–10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 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.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
The Story of Zaccheaus
As I reflect on this story two things come to mind.
First, this is a story about salvation.
Only one chapter earlier a Rich Young Ruler asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This question came from a man who seemingly had it all. Jesus invites him to sell his possessions to come and follow him. Jesus doesn’t do this because he is demanding some stricter spirituality. Simply put, the invitation is one into deeper relationship.
Perhaps the most poignant line in the story says, “When [The Rich Young Ruler] heard [Jesus invitation to sell everything and follow him], he became very sad, because he was very wealthy” (Luke 18:23). The onlookers are surprised and ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus explains how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Everyone is shocked. He then clarifies saying, “What is impossible for man is possible with God.”
This story parallels the Zaccheaus story. Zaccheaus (surprisingly) becomes the rich man who does enter the kingdom of God. He is financially wealthy but socially and morally poor. Tax collectors were despised for their allegiance to Rome and their habit of skimming a little extra money off the top. This makes Zaccheaus an unlikely candidate for friendship with a great Jewish teacher.
However, Zaccheaus (and not the Rich Young Ruler) becomes a friend of Jesus. He is compelled by Jesus right from the beginning of the story and does not miss an invitation to dine with him. Unlike the Rich Young Ruler, he doesn’t allow his wealth to get in the way. He gives it all up to be with Jesus. At the end of his story Zaccheaus has joy (unlike the Rich Young Ruler, who does away sad). It is Zacchaeus that gains eternal life. Jesus looks at Zaccheaus the outcast and says, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham” (19:9).
Second, this is a story about seeking.
I’m not sure exactly what it was about Jesus that Zaccheaus found compelling. Did he merely want to get a look at someone who had become famous? Or was there something more about Jesus that compelled him?
I find it strange that Zaccheaus would seek out a religious leader amongst a busy crowd. As the chief tax collector, he would have been both a well-known and hated figure. I would think he would want to stay away from the crowds. But there was something that drew him to Jesus.
Perhaps being short could have helped him blend in. If he had tried hard enough, perhaps he could have blended in with the crowd. But that wasn’t good enough for Zaccheaus. Instead, he ran to a sycamore tree and climbed it because “he wanted to see who Jesus was” (19: 3). There is nothing about what he is doing that is discreet.
Even more surprising than Zaccheaus pursuing Jesus is when we consider how Jesus, this great Rabbi, pursues Zaccheaus. He sees him. He walks over and stops by the tree. He looks up. Imagine the kind eyes of Jesus looking back into the eyes of this desperate man.
“Zacchaeus, come down immediately” Jesus says. “I must stay at your house today.”
It’s an invitation into relationship. Zaccheaus can’t believe it. It’s beyond what he thought possible, and he gladly welcomes Jesus in. His whole life changes. He generously gives back more than anyone would have required. He does it with joy. He is now a follower of Jesus.
Jesus’ last words in this story are “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (19:10).
Zaccheaus climbed a sycamore tree, not caring about the attention it would bring. But Jesus sought Zaccheaus out with as much vigor as Zaccheaus showed in his pursuit. This was a divine appointment. Jesus, too, didn’t care
about the attention he would get from spending time in the house of a person with Zaccheaus’ reputation, or how it would affect his own. This is what the love of God looks like.
It’s hard to fathom God’s great love for us. When we hear the term “seeking” we might think about someone looking for God. We don’t immediately think of how God seeks us out. But he does. What will we do, knowing that God loves us so deeply and wants relationship with us? He invited the Rich Young Ruler into relationship. He invited Zaccheaus into relationship. He invites us too. Not just once. Every day is an invitation to follow Jesus.
What is Jesus' invitation to you in this moment? Perhaps this invitation will cause you to lay something down. Sometimes we need to ask, “Jesus, are you inviting me to lay something down to increase my relationship with you?” If so, what is that thing? What’s the cost of laying it down? What’s the reward of laying it down?
Questions:
1) What do you sense God telling you through this story?
2) What invitation do you sense from God?
3) What, if anything, do you need to let go of for the sake of your relationship with Jesus?
Author Bio
Josh McAuley is a Children & Youth Pastor at the
Exchange Church in Calgary. His family includes his wife Jenessa and his daughter Bethany. They all love their church and community.
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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