Zacchaeus Tells of His Encounter with Jesus
You know, I wasn’t always the man I am today. Back then, I was a tax collector in Jericho, not just any tax collector, but the chief one. My position gave me wealth, but it also made me an outcast among my own people. Most folks despised me. They saw me as a traitor, someone who had sided with the Romans and made a profit from their hardships. And to be honest, they weren't wrong. I did things I’m not proud of, taking more than I should and keeping the extra for myself.
But then, everything changed one day when I heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho. I had heard so much about Him—how He healed the sick, forgave sinners, and taught with a kind of authority that no one else had. I was curious, but more than that, I felt this strange pull, like I had to see Him for myself.
The problem was, I’m not a tall man, and the crowd that gathered to see Jesus was enormous. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get a glimpse of Him. So, I did something a bit undignified—I ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree. I figured, from up there, I’d at least get a good view as He walked by.
As I was perched on that branch, something incredible happened. Jesus stopped right under the tree. He looked up, straight at me, and called me by name. “Zacchaeus,” He said, “hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
I couldn’t believe it! Out of all the people there, He noticed me. Me, the man everyone looked down on. And not only did He notice me, but He also wanted to come to my house. I didn’t hesitate for a second, I scrambled down that tree as fast as I could and welcomed Him with joy. But I could hear the whispers from the crowd. They were grumbling, saying things like, “He’s gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
Their words stung, but they also made me realize something. If this man, this holy teacher, could show me such grace, how could I continue living the way I had been? I knew in that moment that I had to change. So, right there, I made a decision. I told Jesus that I would give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I had cheated anyone out of anything—and I knew I had—I would pay them back four times the amount.
Jesus looked at me with those eyes full of compassion and said, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Those words hit me like a wave. Salvation had come to me—a man who was lost, but now found. That day, everything changed. I was no longer just a tax collector. I was someone redeemed by the love and mercy of Jesus. And from that day on, I’ve lived differently, not for wealth or power, but for the God who saw me, called me by name, and gave me a new life.
Fifty years ago, I committed my life to serving the Lord. I hold an associate degree in Christian Education and a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. I live by 1 Corinthians 9:16, Ephesians 3:7-8, and Colossians 1:28-29. In my retirement, I focus on studying and teaching God’s Word. Besides writing this Blog I maintain 3 Facebook pages dedicated to spreading the Word of God. Email: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com