At the end of Luke 18, we read how on the outskirts of Jericho, a blind beggar hears Jesus walking by and cries out to Him. Jesus stops and speaks with the beggar. The man asks that Jesus have mercy and heal him from his blindness. Jesus heals the man and immediately, "he began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.” (Luke 18:43) The people are amazed at the miraculous event and become exuberant causing quite a stir in the community. The enthusiasm causes a great crowd to gather around Jesus.
It is in the midst of this crowd that a small man named Zacchaeus finds himself. Likely, he had heard the talk of the town and was curious to see for himself this man called Jesus. Normally, his wealth and power would have garnered him a prominent place in the crowd, but Zacchaeus was not a well-liked man in town, and no room was made for him in the crowd. For Zacchaeus’ wealth and prosperity had come from the most hated of all professions - tax collecting.
In those days, the Roman government recruited Jewish countrymen to collect taxes for them. Any man taking such a job would be considered treasonous to his own people. Not only were tax collectors considered traitors but they were usually believed to be devious and dishonest characters as well. Each tax collector had to collect a specific amount to be paid to the Roman government but were then allowed to keep any funds they collected above and beyond that amount. Many ruthless men used the profession to steal from others in the guise of “just doing their job”. This small man was not only a tax collector, Luke says he was a Chief tax collector. Meaning that he was so good at his profession that he had moved up the ranks and was in charge of other collectors. Therefore, the villagers despised him and looked upon him with derision and so they would not let him through the crowds.
Possibly even before Zacchaeus was an outcast due to his profession, he had always felt like an outsider. Being shorter than the average man, he had likely faced endless teasing that caused him to feel like he was different. He physically didn’t measure up to what was considered normal. Humans tend to reject things and people that fall outside the social norm. Every group in society determines what “normal” means to them.
Whether based on socio-economic status, stature, race, gender, ideology, religion, etc, we all desire to be in the “in” crowd. We all want to belong. Any difference we possess, leads us to feel that we are on the outside of the group. When we feel ostracized by people, it is easy to justify negative actions to find a way to soothe the wounded feelings inside our hearts. For Zacchaeus, becoming a tax collector was a means of elevating himself and wielding power over people. Whereas there was nothing he could do to change his physical stature, he could artificially grow his presence by means of his profession. (Writer’s note: we are not given a background in Scripture for Zacchaeus’ motivation. This characterization is purely my own.)
If we stop here in Zacchaeus’ story we see a man who in a worldly sense is successful. A small man who had fought to overcome his oppressive stereotype and pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He found an occupation where he could excel and have it all. He had what so many desire: wealth and prosperity. Yet, his wealth and position did not fill the emptiness in his heart. He was still alone, unknown, and unwanted.
In verse 4, we see the despised and ruthless man, running ahead of the crowds and climbing into a tree. Running was not something prominent men did in that culture and surely climbing a tree would have been completely humiliating to his rank in society. Yet, Zacchaeus felt compelled to see Jesus. At that moment, he didn’t stop to consider how his actions would be perceived by the people. Something greater was calling out to Zacchaeus’ heart and nothing would prevent him from searching it out. In the next moment, all of his heart's desires are answered as Jesus responds succinctly to Zacchaeus’ fervency. Jesus stops, looks up and calls his name.
“Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today. So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully...” Luke 19:5-6
This man that all the crowds are marveling over desires to spend time with Zacchaeus. Jesus looked straight up into the tree and called him by name. Not one aspect of Zacchaeus’ life was unknown to Jesus. Jesus didn’t just know his name, he knew every longing within him. He opened up a deep place within Zacchaeus’ heart. Jesus saw the pain and it instantly healed it with love. Just as the blind beggar instantly regained his heart, Zacchaeus instantly regained his heart. Luke said he hurried down the tree with JOY!
He was called out and chosen by Jesus. Jesus was coming to stay at his house and spend time with him. His heart was met with pure love. Jesus didn’t need to rebuke Zacchaeus or call him to repentance. The mercy magnificence and holiness of Jesus’ love utterly overwhelmed his heart.
Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." Luke 19:7
What a stark contrast to the reaction of the rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus. The young man is seeking answers from Jesus concerning the inheritance of eternal life. He is piously confident that he is already obediently following God. However, since he is posing the question to Jesus perhaps he feels as if there is some accomplishment that is missing that would secure his eternal position. Jesus tells him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22) Yet the young ruler goes away sad. All of his perfect, religious obedience was merely superficial. His wealth and prestige had fully taken possession of him. His heart already had a first love and he could not put it aside for Jesus.
The rich young ruler sought out Jesus so that he could find answers to his questions. Yet, he found the answers to be inconsistent with his heart’s desire and therefore he walked away sad. Zacchaeus sought Jesus. In desperation and humility, he set aside everything else just to be in the presence of Jesus. His heart found the truest and ultimate filling of all its deepest desires merely by Jesus calling him to come down. In an instant, his life was changed and a true transformation occurred on that street in the city of Jericho.
Where in your life have you allowed circumstances and feelings to drive you to find refuge in anything other than God. It isn’t just sinful activities, with their temporary escape that should drive us to repentance. But, it is anything that we have allowed to occupy the most prominent place in our hearts. Jesus must be our first love and our ultimate source of refuge. Take some time this week to be introspective. Like David, ask God for help.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24
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