THE WEE LITTLE MAN
I think we have the wrong idea about Zacchaeus. When the children sing about him in Vacation Bible School, they tell him to come down out of the tree as though Jesus is angry with him.
This story, found in Luke 19, is not about an angry Jesus or a man subjected to reprimand from the Savior. It is a story about acceptance, repentance, and opportunity.
The crowds were gathering in Jerusalem for Passover. Many people were on the road leading into Jerusalem. Jesus and His disciples were making their way toward the city for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, though the disciples did not understand that.
As they entered and passed through Jericho, the road was crowded with travelers. A local tax collector was among those on this road. This tax collector was a wealthy man who held a high position among his associates.
Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming, and he had a desire to see Him. Zacchaeus had probably heard about His miracles, and he was curious to see Him in person.
Seeing Jesus would not be easy for Zacchaeus because he was “little of stature” (verse 3). He was simply too short to see above the massive crowd of people.
Being a perceptive man, he decided to climb a tree so he would be above the crowd, out of the way, and able to get a good view of this man, Jesus.
When Jesus came to the place where Zacchaeus was, He looked up at him. He said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:5 ESV).
Of course, the people grumbled and complained that Jesus was going to the house of a sinner. They saw themselves as more worthy to host this man, and they wanted everyone to hear their disapproval, probably Jesus and Zacchaeus as well.
Zacchaeus hurried down out of the tree, and received Jesus as a guest in his home. He joyfully welcomed this man of Nazareth as a guest in his home.
What took place in Zacchaeus’ house is not recorded, but the result of that meeting is. “And Zacchaeus 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’” (Luke 19:8).
This man was judged by the people as being a sinner because he was a tax collector, but it appears that he was generous with his money. He was also concerned that he might have cheated someone, and he was prepared to make it right.
So why did Jesus choose this man out of all those in the crowd on a busy road? Why did He offer salvation to a man despised by the public? Why did He want to spend time with a tax collector?
The answer is found in Matthew 9. Jesus saw Matthew sitting at a tax booth. He said, “Follow me.” In the house with this man, scripture says many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and His disciples. The Pharisees asked the disciples why their teacher chose to eat with these sinful people. Jesus didn’t give the disciples a chance to answer. He answered Himself. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12-13).
Jesus took the opportunity to visit with a man who genuinely wanted to see Him. Jesus used the opportunity to show that He accepted all men regardless of their occupation. He also accepted Zacchaeus’ commitment to give to the poor and to repay anyone whom he had cheated. This was a sign of true repentance on the part of Zacchaeus.
This is a good lesson for us. We need to seize opportunities for approaching others as well as using the opportunities we have to acknowledge our faults and transgressions.
We need to accept all men, even those we consider unworthy, as those eligible for salvation. Remember that God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).
We need to realize that we all need forgiveness; and in order to receive it, we must repent.
Sandra Oliver