“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

Matthew 11:28

He was scorned by his people. As chief tax collector, Zacchaeus made a lot of money for Rome and himself. He was almost a pigmy and got pushed around in crowds. On this day, something puzzled him. Sin has a way of slowly bearing on the heart, and Zacchaeus felt the weight of it this morning, so he made mind to do something about it, maybe see the chief priest in Jerusalem the next Sabbath.

Suddenly, the noise of a rushing crowd. Zacchaeus walked curiously to check it out. It was Jesus passing through Jericho to Jerusalem (Lk. 19:1). He pushed his way through the crowd but couldn’t get close enough to see Jesus. Frustrated, he ran and climbed a sycamore fig tree ahead; making sure no one saw him.

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

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

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

 The people sneered and derided that Jesus had gone to be the guest of a sinner. Suddenly, their smelly seats didn’t smell that bad anymore.

“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!

You see, grace transforms the sinner beyond measure (Eph. 2:8-9). It changes the attitude and perspectives of the redeemed. Zacchaeus started the day a wretched soul, tormented by his sins, but ended it as a joyful believer in Christ Jesus. He shamelessly welcomed his new normal and boldly confronted his slave master – money – and came out smelling like a rose. The amazing thing is that, it was not Zacchaeus who sought after Jesus. It was the other way around. Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name and where he was. The Lord knew the diminutive man’s struggles and hopelessness, despite his wealth. Jesus came through Jericho purposefully for him. It was a divine plan with timing and purpose. “Zacchaeus! Come down immediately. I must stay in your house today” (Lk. 19:5).

Jesus knows you by name, my friend. Never forget that. He knows your struggle with anxiety and hopelessness, exaggerated by your fears and doubts; and He cares for you. Wherever you are, He will detour to get you. You may be hiding in a sycamore tree or coming to Him under cover of night. He will get to you. He will call you by name, and He will sup with you in your house. Just welcome Him. So, whatever your situation, may the joy of Zacchaeus embrace you today in Jesus. Amen!