“Zacchaeus; a chief tax collector climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus. Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY. I MUST STAY AT YOUR HOUSE TODAY.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner. Zacchaeus stood up and said, “Look, Lord! I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE…” (Luke 19:2-9)
Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in the region of Jericho. Although he was a native Judean, Zacchaeus had “sold-out” and become part of the oppressive and despised Roman tax machine. So, when Jesus said “I must stay at you house…” the disciples maybe cringed a bit. The crowd probably grumbled. This odd, tree climbing traitor was a tax collector after all. Of all the places Jesus could go for dinner, why the home of Zacchaeus? Jesus wanted Zacchaeus and everyone witnessing this encounter to clearly understand that the forgiveness he spoke about WAS FOR EVERYONE – even tax collectors, the so-called “worst of sinners.” In other words, through the power of Jesus Christ…So, Zacchaeus REPENTS AND MAKES RESTITUTION.
THE SEEMINGLY UNTHINKABLE WAS NOW POSSIBLE…
-Bill Stockham