Is there any hope for someone who has been rejected by the community? Let’s look at the change that allowed a man with a bad reputation to receive eternal salvation in Luke 19:1-10.
Taxes
Before we examine the chief tax collector, we need to speak about taxes. In principle they are not wrong. God’s law in ancient Israel provided for the collection of tithes and offerings, which were used not only for worship purposes, but also for welfare for the poor and needy. In the New Testament, Jesus encouraged giving to Caesar. The problem with our friend Zachaeus, was that tax collectors were notorious for cheating the people, by not only helping the Romans collect oppressive taxes way beyond what would be ethical, but they also took money on the side for themselves.
Dirty Money
Do we know someone in our community who is lost and Jesus is calling them?
“Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.” (Luke 19:1-4 NKJV)
Zacchaeus had become “very rich” as a chief tax collector for Roman occupiers. He knew he was despised because it was dirty money. Yet, he wanted to see Jesus, who taught how hard it was for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom (Luke 18:24-25). Zacchaeus was short and despite the obvious embarrassment, he climbed a tree.
Your House
Why would Jesus invite himself to the home of a notorious crook?
“And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.” (Luke 19:5-6 NKJV)
Jesus wanted to be the guest of this despised crook today. Zacchaeus was immediately responsive and filled with joy. Jesus’ kingdom plans included a “notorious sinner.” Zacchaeus is genuinely receptive and ready to embrace the values of the kingdom of God. The bigger the sinner the more thankful.
Salvation
What would be the reaction of the community? What would be the reaction of this notorious con man?
“But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, ‘He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.’ 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’ 9 And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ ” (Luke 19:7-10 NKJV)
Zacchaeus was happy, the crowd grumbled, because he had collaborated with the Roman occupation. They could not see what Jesus saw. Zacchaeus responded to Jesus with the fruits of repentance within his heart, righting wrongs and giving to the poor. Jesus said Zacchaeus’ behavior was that of a true child of Abraham.
Zacchaeus means the righteous one. His name was a prophecy of his life as Jesus would make it. All our righteousness comes from God. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus had already seen him, and a rich man entered the kingdom of God. Jesus can make the impossible possible.
Zacchaeus repented of his greed and began giving. Do we grumble about Jesus’ grace to those who have committed gross sins? Is Zacchaeus welcome in our churches? Jesus came to call the lost. Do we shut the lost out of the church? A rescue came to Zacchaeus, from greed to giving.
Is there any hope for someone who has totally ruined his reputation in the community? Salvation came to Zacchaeus. Salvation has also come to you and me. Jesus wants to be a guest in our homes today. Is He welcome?
