By Benjamin Stubblefield, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Sinners?
Luke 19:1–10
We make some audacious claims. The Red Sea split. The sun stood still. A Nazarene rose from the dead. To some, those claims seem too impossible to believe. But perhaps what is the most difficult aspect of our faith to believe is that the eternal Son of God and Son of Man made friends with swindlers, lepers and beggars. He loved them. He enjoyed being with them. And He brings them into His family and fellowship.
Frankly, it’s easier to believe that Samson killed Philistines with a donkey jaw than it is to believe that God becomes buddies with a thief.But here we have it. Jesus with Zacchaeus beggaring belief. Our Lord is willing to accept anyone who is willing to come to Him in repentance and faith.
Desperate (1–4)
Although Zacchaeus’ name means “clean” or “innocent,” we know from his profession and subsequent confession (v. 8) that he is anything but. Luke tells us that he was a “chief tax collector,” which meant he had ample opportunity to reap an enormous profit from the tax collection system. This left him rich but marked him as a social outcast among his kinsmen.
Though curious about Jesus, he’s got two problems: The crowd’s too big and he’s too short. But instead of simply going home, his desire to see Christ produces some innovation, and he climbs a short but strong sycamore tree to get a bird’s-eye view.
Luke doesn’t tell us what Zacchaeus was thinking, but it’s easy to read between the lines. This man had a burden that he wanted Jesus to bear, a shame taken away. He was more than curious. He was desperate to see Jesus.
We need that desperation, don’t we? Folks under the weight of their sin can find relief only in the one Way, Truth and Life if they’ll seek after the Savior this way.
Friended (5–7)
We are not told how Jesus knew Zacchaeus. It could’ve been divine, supernatural knowledge. But I like to think that the crowds were pointing him out. “Look at Zacchaeus up there! What do you want with us, more taxes! You thief! Get out of that tree!” And Jesus, gentle and lowly, also calls him to come down, not to scold him, but so He can be his friend.
Note the contrast: Zacchaeus gets glad, but the crowds get mad. They not only think Jesus is making a mistake, they believe this indicates poor character (5:30; 15:2). What is remarkable is that Jesus doesn’t seem to care about their opinions. Like the Great Shepherd of Ezekiel 34, He has not come to rescue the sheep already in the fold but the sheep who have wandered from it. He’s a friend to sinners, for it’s those He came to save.
Repentant (8–10)
In response to Jesus’ love and lordship, Zacchaeus repents and resolves to make right any past injustices. He must now “work out his faith with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). And, boy, does he! According to Darrell Bock, senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, in Judaism it was considered generous but imprudent to give away more than 20% of one’s possessions.
Zacchaeus gives away half. And while legal restitution for extortion was 20%, Zacchaeus promises four times the amount if he has cheated “anyone out of anything.” This is, truly, a man who’s ready to use his money for the Lord.
Jesus does not cancel Zacchaeus’ access to God because of his vocation, past or reputation. Rather, He came simply to reclaim that which was lost, to heal those who know they’re sick. And in this way, Jesus never ceases to surprise me.
It’s definitely amazing to think that the oil in Elijah’s day never ran out or that people were healed when they came into Peter’s shadow. But what catches me off guard more than anything is to see Jesus saving Zacchaeus — the Son of Man redeeming wretches.
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