Luke 19 is where you can find the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. The chapter opens up with Jesus entering Jericho, a city that had a curse pronounced upon its rebuilding. The Old Testament tells the story of Jericho's destruction by God through Joshua and Israel. We can also read about the cost of it being rebuilt during King Ahab's reign. Here we are in this New Testament story, Jesus is entering Jericho. That is where he calls Zacchaeus, a wealthy chief tax collector.
Zacchaeus would have been a hated man, but the people would not have challenged him. It would have cost them. Zacchaeus needed nothing. As long as he gave Rome its due, he could swindle the Jews for whatever he wanted. With all he had going for him, he "sought to see who Jesus was." This statement appears to communicate curiosity, but we will see something happening to Zacchaeus. Jesus also knew Zacchaeus was more than curious.
Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." Zacchaeus' response reveals what God wants from men and women everywhere. Before we look at Zacchaeus' response, let's read Luke 14:25-35. These verses lay out the necessity of counting the cost of discipleship. Jesus addresses the need to put him first over family if it were to cost you that. He uses analogies such as building a tower or a king going to war. With each of these endeavors, there must be a measuring of the cost before committing. If they begin and don't finish, ridicule will follow. Jesus ends by saying, "whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." Something was going on with Zacchaeus, and we will see this in his response. His "ears" were opening.
Turn to Luke 19, after Jesus addresses Zacchaeus, we read, "so he hurried and came down and received him joyfully." We can infer from this story that Zacchaeus was hearing the stories of Jesus. He would have heard of the healings, the raising of the dead, and the tough to grapple with parables. Many could not understand parables, but those with "ears to hear" heard. We can only add conjecture to Zacchaeus's life before this section of Scripture. I think we will be safe assuming God's work on the heart of this man who, hated by others, was loved by God. God's work in Zacchaeus' life is a work he is doing in many lives and will continue to do either til we die or Jesus returns to "separate the sheep from the goat."
With joy, Zacchaeus came down and received Jesus into his home. Those who observed this "grumbled." They considered this man "a sinner." God sent his Son to live, die and rise for sinners, but they did not understand. God offers his righteousness to anyone who "receives him with joy." Those who count the cost of discipleship and invite Jesus into their home (lives) are opening a door for God to bring change and give life, eternal life.
The result of Jesus' invitation for Zacchaeus to open his home was "salvation has come to this house." Immediately Zacchaeus surrendered that which made him a wealthy man. He repented, but not just with words. He "stood and said to the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.'" Zacchaeus yielded to the Law of God, Exodus 22:1; 2 Samuel 12:6. Understanding what God requires and doing it with joy shows a complete surrender. That is what happened to Zacchaeus. God wants this for all of us "who hear" Jesus' invitation to "hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." Sadly too many turn away and are not interested. They stay busy in their sin. They choose not to surrender. They run the other way, hardened in their way. Paths that lead, eventually, to death.
I have a friend who just told me that the cost to "come down" and let Jesus "come to her home" is simply too expensive. She's decided that her lifestyle is more satisfying than the invitation Jesus offers. She is like the crowd that taunted Zacchaeus than the man himself who recognized nothing he had was more than what Jesus could give. Zacchaeus joyfully accepted the invitation and is forever in God's Word as a bad boy gone good!
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