Jesus' Love has the Power to Transform
Jesus' encounter with Zaccaeus reveals that Jesus’ love has the power to transform. In Luke 19:1-10 we read that Jesus
sought out Zacchaeus and that He became a follower of Christ.
As
Jesus was passing through Jericho, a man named Zacchaeus was there. Ironically,
the name Zacchaeus means “righteous one.” Zacchaeus, however, was not
living up to his name.[1] He was a chief tax
collector and very wealthy. Taxes were collected by the Roman government by
Jewish agents known as tax collectors. These men were detested for helping the
pagan leader and for often cheating their own people.[2] They were included in the
group called “sinners” who were considered evil for not following the Mosaic
Law as interpreted by the teachers of the law.[3] The position of chief tax
collector was only referred to here in this passage. The job probably consisted
of overseeing a district, with other tax collectors under him. This was a
prosperous region, so it is not surprising that Zacchaeus was rich.[4]
Zacchaeus
had a strong desire to see Jesus, but he was a short man and because of the
crowds, he was not able to see. He ran ahead in the direction Jesus was going
and climbed a sycamore-fig tree. This type of tree was sturdy and grew from 30
to 40 feet high. It had a short trunk and branches that spread out. It would be
able to hold a grown man.[5] It was not common for a
man in the East to run, especially a government official. Yet Zacchaeus ran and
climbed a tree like a child curious to see this man, Jesus.[6]
When
Jesus arrived at the tree, He looked up and called out, “Zacchaeus, come down
immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus immediately came down
and warmly welcomed Jesus. Interestingly, Zacchaeus thought he was the one
seeking Jesus, (Luke 19:3) but the truth was that Jesus was, in fact, seeking
him (Luke 10:10). Jesus came to seek out the lost.[7]
The
people who saw this began to grumble that Jesus had chosen to be a guest of a
sinner. Jesus paid no attention to them, however, and willingly entered the
home of Zacchaeus. When he entered Zacchaeus’ home, he was a sinner; but when
Jesus left, Zacchaeus was a saved man.[8]
Jesus
told Zacchaeus that salvation had come to his house because he too was a son of
Abraham. Though Jewish society excluded Zacchaeus, Jesus stated that Zacchaeus
was a true Jew. He was “not only of the lineage of Abraham, but one who also
walks ‘in the footsteps’ of Abraham’s faith (Romans 4:12).”[11] Jesus said that the Son
of Man had come to seek and to save the lost. “Son of Man” is a messianic
title. This was a summary of Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth -” to bring
salvation, meaning eternal life (Luke 18:18), and the kingdom of God (Luke
18:25).”[12]
Here
we see Jesus reaching out to someone whom others despised. We too can reject
others as outcasts based on their looks or way of living. Thankfully, Jesus
never did. “His example is our pattern.” As Christians, we must continually be
willing to accept the degraded and outcast to share the love of Christ with
them. Love for Jesus should motivate us to do all things.[13]
[1]
Warren Wiersbe, “Luke 19”, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, The Complete New
Testament, (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), pg. 202.
[2]
Zondervan, The NIV Study Bible, study note on Luke 3:12.
[3]
Zondervan, Mark 2:15.
[4]
Zondervan, Luke 19:2.
[5]
Zondervan, Luke 19:4.
[6]
Wiersbe, p. 202.
[7]
IBID
[8]
David Guzik, “Study notes on Luke 19”, Blue Letter Bible (2001).
[9]
Zondervan, Luke 19:8.
[10]
Wiersbe, pp. 202-203.
[11]
Zondervan, Luke 19:9.
[12]
Zondervan, Luke 19:10.
[13]
Guzik
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