Luke 19:1-10
Chapter 19
A man named Zacchaeus lived there. He was a tax collector and a wealthy man.
He wanted to see what Jesus was like, but he was short and couldn’t see over the crowd.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. From there, he could see Jesus as he passed by.
When Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and said to him:
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.”
So Zacchaeus climbed down and welcomed him happily.
All the people who saw it began to grumble and said:
“He has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner.”
But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus:
“Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.”
Looking at him Jesus said:
“Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham.
The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Commentaries
Jesus and Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus exemplifies someone who, knowing Jesus, not only willingly gives up material possessions but also allows his inner self to be transformed by grace to pursue justice, much to the dismay of those who perhaps thought he should atone for his sins in a different way. Such is divine grace!