Lukes gospel tells the story of Jesus meeting with Zacchaeus. The story is not recorded in any of the other gospels, so we can therefore deduce that it must have significance to what Luke wanted his readers to know.
Part of the significance may lie in Jesus choosing to stay with Zacchaeus in Jericho, when he was in fact traveling quite a distance west of there, to Jerusalem. It leaves us with a beautiful image of Jesus, on his greatest journey, to fulfil his lifes mission, drawing all of humanity back to God, and yet, values the life of one sinner enough to seek Zacchaeus out in Jericho. Reading this in the context of chapter 15, the parable of the lost sheep, we discover something of Gods desire for the lost.
Lukes focus, is very much concerned with showing Jesus' compassion towards the marginalised and socially oppressed. Zacchaeus would indeed, fall into such a category, for he was a tax collector. Not only was Zacchaeus a tax collector, but he in fact, was a chief tax collector. Tax collectors were the outcasts of Jewish society, taxing the people at incredibly high rates as a source of personal income. Zacchaeus was very rich and would have been hated around Jericho. When Jesus leaves Jericho and arrives in Jerusalem, one of his first experiences is the corruption of the city. The people who sold in the temple were exploiting the people by charging at extortionary rates. This is probably similar to what was happening the people at the hand of Zacchaeus. Yet in this story, Jesus utters the words, "Today, salvation has come to this house". What was it that caused Jesus to rebuke the sellers in the temple and declare salvation over the house of Zacchaeus? In chapter 18, what prevented the rich ruler seeking to gain eternal life, from receiving a similar pronouncement? Both were wealthy, and both sought out Jesus, however both responded differently.
Zacchaeus responds by saying he will give half of his goods to the poor and anyone he has defrauded, he will restore fourfold. The fourfold is a response to the old Mosaic law, where if a man stole an ox or sheep, killing it or selling it, he would repay five oxen for one ox and four sheep for a sheep. Zacchaeus has stolen from the people and perhaps this demonstration from him, after one encounter with Jesus, reminds us that Jesus did not come to abolish the old law, but to fulfil it.
Jesus' response to the rich ruler, "for it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, that for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God", is not him saying it is impossible for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, for what is impossible with men, is possible with God. The possibilities are seen through the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus.
In the earlier chapters of Lukes gospel, when calling his disciples, the urgency in following the call of Jesus is evident and this is also the case here, when Jesus calls Zacchaeus to hurry.
Luke begins chapter 19 by telling the reader that Jesus was passing through Jericho and in order to see Jesus, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree until he passed by that way. Of course while Jesus may just have been passing through the city, it is interesting language thats used.
The response of the crowd, to the blind beggar outside the city walls, was that Jesus of Nazareth, was passing by.
In Exodus 33, Moses asks the Lord to show him his glory. The Lord in verse 19 responds by saying, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name, 'The Lord'. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy". In chapter 34, the Lord then passed before Moses.
The blind beggar who cried "Son of David, have mercy on me" received grace and mercy and saw the glory of the Lord displayed through the person of Jesus.
The Lord said to the Israelites in Egypt to cover their doorposts with blood and he would pass over them and the children of the house would be saved. Jesus declared salvation over Zacchaeus' house when he passed through Jericho. Again a wonderful demonstration of Gods glory, through Jesus.
A cry for mercy is the call of the blind beggar and its the same cry for mercy from the tax collector in chapter 18. Unlike the Pharisee, this tax collector acknowledges his sin and humbles himself before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
The thief on the cross like Zacchaeus, took advantage and stole from people. He too, recognised that he was a sinner and humbled himself before Jesus. How Jesus responds to the thief is the same way he responds to Zacchaeus. He replies 'Today, you will be with me in Paradise', and to Zacchaeus, 'Today, salvation has come to this house'. The emphasis is on 'today'. The call to follow Jesus is urgent and for today. Salvation is also for today when you come before God with a humble and contrite heart.
Finally, once Jesus leaves Zacchaeus, continuing on to Jerusalem, we can read of his triumphal entry. It is clear that the people expected something different, in the shape of perhaps a political revolution or a kingly rule. Son of David was the title given to Jesus by the blind beggar, and of course Jerusalem was the city of King David. Yet Jesus choses to enter by riding a colt, which his followers set him on. Taking the humble approach, he is exalted by the people, who praise God for his coming.
Ironically, Zacchaeus' name in both Aramaic and Hebrew means 'pure one'. Before meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus had used his abilities and resources for personal gain, becoming exceedingly rich. However, after just one encounter with Jesus, the humble King, a response is awakened within him of an outpouring of exceeding generosity.
The writer of Hebrews, quoting scripture says 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion'. Zacchaeus heard the voice of Jesus calling and opened his heart and his home and was transformed into the image of Christ.
Moses saw all Gods goodness pass before him and as Zacchaeus was transformed, if we too respond to the call of God today, we with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, will be transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
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