A short, rich tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus. Zacchaeus and the grace that went first

Zacchaeus was rich, powerful and hated. He was also short. When Jesus came through Jericho, he could not see over the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree.

The story is told in Luke 19:1 to 10. Zacchaeus was “chief among the publicans”, a senior tax collector. Tax collectors worked for the Roman authorities and were widely seen as traitors and cheats, since they often collected more than was required and kept the difference.

Up the tree

“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him” (Luke 19:3 to 4). A wealthy official climbing a tree was undignified. His curiosity was stronger than his pride.

Called by name

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house” (19:5). Jesus knew his name and chose his house out of all the houses in Jericho. “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner” (19:7). The crowd could not understand why Jesus would honour such a man.

Salvation

“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (19:8). Nobody told Zacchaeus to do this. Grace came first, and generosity followed. Fourfold restitution went beyond what the law required in most cases. Zacchaeus’s change was costly and public.

“This day is salvation come to this house… For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (19:9 to 10). This verse summarises the mission of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel.

For today

Jesus did not wait for Zacchaeus to become respectable before calling him. He went to him first. Real repentance shows itself in changed behaviour, especially in how people treat money and others. And no one is beyond the reach of grace, however unpopular. Is there something in your life that needs restitution, a wrong you can put right? Is there someone others avoid whom Jesus might ask you to visit?

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. He came down to find that Jesus had been looking for him.