LUKE 19:1–10
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham”
(Luke 19:9).
After healing the blind man, Jesus entered Jericho. His presence there caused quite an uproar. Among the people attracted to the scene was Zacchaeus, one of the chief tax collectors. Because Zacchaeus was short, he knew he would not be able to see Jesus through the crowd, so he climbed a sycamore tree.
Jesus stopped near the tree and called to him saying that He wanted to dine with him. Zacchaeus was pleased, but the crowd was dismayed. Once again Jesus had shocked them by His willingness to associate with such a despised person. Nobody liked the tax collectors, and chief tax collectors were usually met with great disdain. Jericho was on the trail to Jerusalem, and pilgrims were constantly fleeced by tax gatherers. Consequently, Zacchaeus was not a popular man.
Zacchaeus told Jesus that he was going to give half of his goods to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated fourfold. Here we have a bold and dramatic confession of sin, act of repentance, and confession of faith. Zacchaeus recognized Christ, and in order to demonstrate a break with his old life, he gave away half of his possessions.
Jesus said that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house “because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.” For all of his adult career, Zacchaeus had been a traitor to the nation of Israel. Now, through Jesus, he became a true son of Abraham. Jesus’ words fit with what the Bible teaches, which is that the true sons of Abraham are not defined by blood but by faith.
There is a footnote to the story of Zacchaeus. The early church apologist and bishop Clement of Alexandria tells us that Zacchaeus continued faithful to the Lord and served Christ all the days of his life, being elevated ultimately to the position of Bishop of Caesarea, presumably the Caesarea where Peter made his confession of faith.
CORAM DEO
Isaiah 48–49
Colossians 4
WEEKEND
Isaiah 50–55
1 Thessalonians 1–2
Zacchaeus made restitution to those he had wronged. This is required of those who are children of Abraham by faith. Is there anyone you have wronged to whom you owe an apology or restitution? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any such situation.
For further study: Galatians 3:6–14; tape #B57INT.78/79
WEEKEND