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

His people scorned him. As a 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. Zacchaeus felt the weight of his sins and resolved to do something about it. He may have considered a confession before the chief priest the next time he was in Jerusalem for the Sabbath.

The noise of a rushing crowd! Curious, Zacchaeus walked 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, cautious no one saw him.

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

Surprised by Jesus, Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him to his home with joy (6). His curiosity had ensnared him, and now he was host to the Messiah.

“Who needs the chief priest anymore?” he mused.

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

Zacchaeus shocked the people into a hush. “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” (v.8). What a man!

Grace transforms the sinner beyond measure (Eph. 2:8-9) and 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 embraced his new identity and confronted his taskmaster—money—and came out smelling like a rose. The astounding thing is that it was not Zacchaeus who sought after Jesus, but the Lord who sought after him.

Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name and where he was. He knew his inner struggles and came through Jericho for him. It was a divine plan with timing and purpose. “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. He cares for you. Wherever you are, He will detour to get you. You may hide in a sycamore tree or come to Him under cover of night. He will get to you anyhow. He will call you by name, and He will sup with you in your house. Just welcome Him and receive His marvelous grace that changes everything.

So, whatever your situation, may the joy of Zacchaeus embrace you today in Jesus. Amen!