He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchae'us; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchae'us, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchae'us stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:1-10 (RSV)
On the dusty road to Jericho, Jesus and an evergrowing band of spectators are making their way to the Holy city of Jerusalem. The stories of miraculous power, healing by touch, and casting out of demons have reached the ears of the countryside. As the enthusiastic entourage enters the city, a toll booth serves as a reminder of taxes imposed which they will be required to render.
Because of the gathering masses, it was not easy to actually see the Christ. The difficulty heightened for the short man of small stature. Motivation, we assume, for the subject in this story to climb the sycamore, getting a bird's-eye view of the pathway of the Lord.
What our resourceful rascal is hoping to gleen from his perch up there in the fig tree is not disclosed, but his reputation preceeds him. His official title is that of publican, chief tax collector. He does the dirty work of the Roman government through extortion of his countrymen. To say the least, he is unpopular. As a general rule, he is a rejected recluse.
No matter what he had hoped would come of this day from his towering position, everything changes when the savior catches his eye. The anticipated king who is the subject of all of this attention has just called Zaccheus by name and proclaimed him host. The next thing he knows, the greatest man on earth is dining at his table.
From the branch of a tree to a seat with the master, Zaccheus finds his entire life transformed. Once the deliverer of oppression, now the delivered. Once the seeker of a tree top vantage point, now sought by the savior. Once the taker of goods and coins, now a righteous recipient. How things change when Jesus arrives in Jericho!
Notice how naturally and without fan fare this story unfolds. Just a routine day in Palestine when the Messiah comes to town. A slightly more than curious man climbs a tree to get a better look.
And Heaven performs a miracle when...
And Heaven performs a miracle when...
Eternal life replaces entertainment for the order de jure. Forgiveness replaces nasty words off judgmental lips. The generosity of a contrite and loving heart abundantly floods the street where previously greedy and grabby hands held gold in a thieving grasp.
Things change when Jesus comes to town. People change when Jesus comes to town. Hearts change when Jesus comes to town.
Do you find yourself out there on that same limb with Zaccheus? Have circumstances and situations gotten out of control to the point that you feel yourself drowning in the sea of chaos and confusion. If heavy, controlling, suffocating burdens bend the branch to the point of snapping...
Here is more scripture regarding the call of Christ on your life:
(Jesus' words in red)
John 6:47 (RSV) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."
Matthew 7:7-8 (RSV) "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
John 15:16 (RSV) "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."
