“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)

His name was scorned among his people, despite his wealth. As chief tax collector, Zacchaeus made money helping Rome extract heavy taxes from his people. That alienated him from them. His physical stature didn’t help either. He was almost a pigmy and got pushed around in crowds. On that Thursday morning, something in the air puzzled him. Zacchaeus may not have given serious thought to his sinful life; but that morning, he felt the weight of it.

“I will go to Jerusalem the next Sabbath for confession and to offer the required sacrifice,” he resolved.

Suddenly, the noise of a rushing crowd; “What could that be”?

Walking curiously towards its direction, he heard it was Jesus passing through Jericho, his town (Lk. 19:1).

“This is the man I need to see. If only I could talk to him.”

He pushed his way through the crowd, but the people pushed him around. Frustrated, Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree; making sure no one saw him.

“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay in your house today” (Lk. 19:5).

“How did He know my name and my hideout in this tree? Did somebody snitch on me?”

Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus to his home (6). His curiosity had ensnared him; and now he was playing host to the Messiah.

“Who needs the chief priest anymore,” he said.

 “What! How could Jesus go into the house of this sinful traitor”, the people derided. “Isn’t there a priest in town to host Him, if He claims to be a Rabbi and Teacher of the Law?”

Poor human beings! How judgmental and accusative, while we sit uneasily on our personal smelly seats!

“Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount”, Zacchaeus shocked the people into a hushed silence (v.8). What a man!

There is not a soul that genuinely receives the grace of God through Jesus and remains the same. His presence and grace transform the soul of the believer and bring it into conformity to Christ’s nature through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Perspectives and attitudes change as a result, and hope is restored for eternity with God. Was there a conversation between Zacchaeus and the Savior? Luke doesn’t tell; but the evidence reveals it all. Zacchaeus started the day a wretched soul, but ended it a transformed believer in Jesus.

Do you know a Zacchaeus in your neighborhood? Have you noticed their curiosity? How about your co-workers? Can’t you sense the emptiness consuming them? Why don’t you invite them to Jesus, that they may experience the transforming power of His grace and assurance of eternal life in Him.

Isn’t that your commission from Christ (Matt. 28:19-20)?