Near the end of a long and arduous journey from the northern region of Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus entered the ancient city of Jericho where his presence drew large crowds. Among those who sought to catch a glimpse of the famous prophet and rabbi, was an individual named Zacchaeus. Luke’s Gospel provides several interesting details about this individual. We learn, for example, that he was “short in stature (Luke 19:3; NRSV)” and that he was widely despised because of the fact that he was a “chief tax collector (Luke 19:2).” During this time, many tax collectors were known for collecting far more than was required by the authorities, making themselves rich in the process. Zacchaeus would have been widely despised by those in his community, not simply because he was regarded as an agent of the governing authorities, but because of the dishonest and fraudulent nature of his work.
Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus is well known. Zacchaeus, seeking to catch a better glimpse of Jesus, climbs a tree. What happened next would have surely come as a great surprise to Zacchaeus. Rather than simply observing Jesus as he traveled through the city, Jesus actually approaches him and makes a request to visit him in his home. This action would have been regarded as strange, if not unbecoming, to many of the religious leaders of the day. Zacchaeus was widely despised and, in the eyes of many, was undeserving of such an honor. Jesus, on the other hand, showed great concern for Zacchaeus and was eager to see his life changed. As the account reveals, Zacchaeus repented of his sinful lifestyle and turned to Christ in faith. The account then culminates with Jesus’ assertion that “salvation has come to his house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost (Luke 19:9-10; NRSV).” More than just an inspirational account of one man’s encounter with Jesus, this passage demonstrates Jesus’ concern for those who are marginalized and oppressed and regarded as outcasts in society.
As you consider the implications of this passage, what might be some of the implications for modern Christians? If Jesus was part of your family or part of your local church, who might he seek out? Are there individuals that you encounter in your daily life who do not enjoy a prominent role in society or a favorable reputation? How might you follow Christ’s example in your own life and “seek out and save the lost?”
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