Zaccheus with many worries

This is a well-known passage. First, let us look into Zacchaeus’s characteristics. (1) He was an intelligent man. Otherwise, he could not have become the chief tax collector (v 2). (2) He was a wealthy man. The city of Jericho was a key point of traffic connecting Jerusalem with the eastern countries. It was also a collection center for balsam oil produced in the nearby region. For tax collectors who collected tolls, it was an ideal location. (3) He was a man of short stature. (4) He was shunned by ordinary people because he worked as a tax collector, serving as an agent of Rome. These are his characteristics, but from them we can see a picture of Zacchaeus as “a man who had gained material wealth yet could not find satisfaction in life and was searching for meaning.” Do you think that accumulating wealth will solve the problems of life? Or do you believe that those who are materially rich live more fulfilled lives? Let us remember that material abundance does not determine the richness of one’s life.

Zaccheus found by Jesus

Through what kind of experiences do people come to encounter Jesus? Let us learn four steps from the example of Zacchaeus: (1) “Jesus sees me.” (2) “Jesus knows my name.” (3) “Jesus is inviting me (come down from the tree).” (4) “Jesus needs me (for I must stay at your house).” Zacchaeus, who experienced these four steps, welcomed Jesus and held a great banquet. Then he declared, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much” (v 8). According to the Law, in the case of ordinary theft, restitution was to be made by returning the original amount plus one-fifth (Lev. 6:5). However, Zacchaeus chose to repay four times as much. This was the amount of restitution required for someone who stole an animal and then sold or killed it (Ex. 22:1-2). In other words, by making restitution beyond what the Law required, Zacchaeus expressed his genuine repentance. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (v 9-10). Jesus sees you and knows everything about you. How will this awareness change the way you live?