Zacchaeus may well have been the most hated man in Jericho. He was a Jew, but he was employed as chief tax collector for the Romans who had conquered Israel, and were occupying it at the time of Jesus. The Jews looked upon him as a traitor, and the Romans regarded him as useful, but inferior, because he was not a citizen of Imperial Rome.
Zacchaeus was very wealthy, for he collected more money than the Romans required, paid them what they asked and pocketed the rest himself. He had all the material goods he could use, but he was very lonely. He had no real friends.
One day, Jesus was to passing through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. Zacchaeus had heard great things about this teacher and miracle-worker and was anxious to see him. Unfortunately, the chief tax collector was a short man and was unable to see over the heads of the crowd who always gathered around Jesus, so he climbed up a sycamore tree.
Jesus approached, and as he passed under the tree, he paused. Looking up into the leafy branches, he called: " Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." Overcome with surprise and pleasure, Zacchaeus did as he was told.
However, the onlookers were not pleased. They began to grumble among themselves, wondering why Jesus would associate with someone like Zacchaeus, a traitor, a thief and a sinner.
Zacchaeus, however, knew that he had found a true friend, a holy, powerful and important friend. He immediately responded to Jesus' offer of friendship. He said to Jesus: " Look, half of all my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much."
Jesus replied. "Today salvation has come to this house, because Zacchaeus too is a son of Abraham. I have come to seek out and save the lost."
The story of Zacchaeus illustrates that Jesus loves everyone, he sees the potential good in everyone, and he responds quickly to anyone who truly tries to seek him.
“Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and everyone who searches finds; and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Mt. 7:7-8
Where does one look for Jesus today? He can be found in the pages of the New Testament in the Bible, but just as importantly, He is as near as your breath, or your heartbeat. Jesus, who is God, is everywhere.
We do not have to be perfect to seek him. Jesus loves and accepts us just as we are. He did not come to earth only to help those who were already good; he came primarily for sinners. When we accept his friendship, he will inspire and help us to overcome our faults and become more like him.
Clement of Alexandria (150 A.D.- c.215 A.D,) wrote that Zacchaeus was surnamed Matthias by the other Apostles, and that it was he who took the place of Judas Iscariot after Jesus' resurrection. Another source identifies Zacchaeus as the first bishop of Caesarea.
There is one thing we can surmise with certainty: after seeking Jesus and deciding to follow him. Zacchaeus was never lonely again.
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