Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus wasn't just a "wee little man". He was a curious man in search of something. We know this because of his zeal for doing whatever it took to just see Jesus.
Jericho - when I mentioned the city of Jericho what do you think of? Come on, sing it with me "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho". Yea, you probably think of the battle when the "walls came tumbling down." Well, there is much more to the city of Jericho than just that story. Like in Judges 3, when Eglon, king of Moab, built a palace in Jericho and ruled over Israelites for 18 years. I urge you to read more about the extraordinary city of Jericho.
For now, we are going to a time when Zacchaeus was there. He was a tax collector, and not an honest one at that. In fact, he was a Chief Tax Collector, so that meant he was good at it. He was under the Roman Empire and must have been a rich man as well. To be a Chief Tax Collector, you not only had to be good at your job, you had to raise a certain portion of pledges to earn that position. Whatever they raised over what they needed to gain that position, they kept. (sound familiar) Luke, tells us that Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, so he must have extorted a lot of money from a lot of people. (see, the government strategy is not a new thing folks)
So, as Jesus was entering Jericho, Zacchaeus knew He was going to be there. He was so well known that people lined up to see Him. Massive crowds gathered everywhere He went. Because of this, it made it hard for Zacchaeus to see Jesus. So, instead of giving up, he went down the road a way to climb in a tree and wait for Jesus to pass by. He went out of his way to see Jesus.
When was the last time you went out of your way for Jesus?
Jesus knew Zacchaeus immediately when He saw him in the tree. Imagine the crowd of 100's gathered on that road following Jesus, just waiting to touch His garments, Hear him speak, anything. And Jesus points out Zacchaeus. A short sinner of a man in a tree. If you were in the crowd and you were someone who has followed Jesus everywhere He went, and you wish just once, He would speak directly to you; then, He calls a dishonest chief tax collector by name and invites Himself to his home for dinner. How would you feel?
Why did Jesus choose Zacchaeus?
In verses 8-10 we read that Zacchaeus stood up and immediately gave away half his possessions and agreed to pay back his wrong. He was changed immediately.
Something to point out here, to show the magnitude of Jesus's grace for Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus states that he will "pay back four times the amount" to anyone whom he has wronged. Only "fourfold" or four times. According to Proverbs 6:30,31 - he should have restored sevenfold. So why doesn't Jesus hold him to the law more strictly?
He doesn't force Zacchaeus to the laws demands, instead, He shows him grace! He knows the heart of Zacchaeus and his motives are pure for wanting to meet Jesus. So, Jesus has mercy on him and accepts his repentance. Folks, Jesus will do the same for you if your motives are pure as well. He does not stand in judgement of your past, only in love for your future.
Who knows why Zacchaeus climbed that tree? Who knows why he felt the desire to do whatever it took to see Jesus? Who knows why Jesus chose Zacchaeus?
GOD KNOWS - that's Who!
We won't always have the full story, but we can be assured that we have ALL of God's Love and Mercy!!
So, be curious and seek God! Open the door when He knocks. Listen for Him to call your name!!
