Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector and at that time tax collector does not do a job as clean as the IRS. They collect extra money from the people (v.8) and also because they work for the Roman government they are hated by the Jews. That is why people call him a sinner (v.7). His desire to see Jesus drives him to do something extraordinary, to climb up a tree (v.4). Why? He is wealthy, powerful, why does he care about Jesus? Why is he so happy when Jesus come to his house? Second, after he hosts Jesus in his house he is willing to give up the treasure in his life-money. Note: half of his possessions is given to the poor then the other half he uses them back to those he has cheated (v.8). Not much will be left for him. Why does he do that? Jesus never says a word to command him to do anything.
The key to answer this two questions is in v.9-10. He is the son of Abraham. Abraham is the forefather of Israel. However, I do not think Jesus merely look at the fact that he is a Jew and thus says he is a son of Abraham. He is saved because he too is a son of Abraham in a sense that he is one of those who follow the faith of Abraham. Thus salvation comes to him, because of his faith(v.9). That's why he climbs up the tree, that's why he is so happy to see Jesus and that's why he gives up the treasure of his life. What have we done because of our faith? Are we eager to read His word, to pray, to come to church and give up our sins?
From the other perspective, the salvation also comes from Jesus who come to seek and save those who are lost (v.10). It seems that Zacchaeus has go extra miles to meet Jesus, but Jesus says he is the one who come to seek us. Have we thank Him for seeking us also? If Jesus does not save us and die on the Cross, there is no use for our faith.
Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector and at that time tax collector does not do a job as clean as the IRS. They collect extra money from the people (v.8) and also because they work for the Roman government they are hated by the Jews. That is why people call him a sinner (v.7). His desire to see Jesus drives him to do something extraordinary, to climb up a tree (v.4). Why? He is wealthy, powerful, why does he care about Jesus? Why is he so happy when Jesus come to his house? Second, after he hosts Jesus in his house he is willing to give up the treasure in his life-money. Note: half of his possessions is given to the poor then the other half he uses them back to those he has cheated (v.8). Not much will be left for him. Why does he do that? Jesus never says a word to command him to do anything.
The key to answer this two questions is in v.9-10. He is the son of Abraham. Abraham is the forefather of Israel. However, I do not think Jesus merely look at the fact that he is a Jew and thus says he is a son of Abraham. He is saved because he too is a son of Abraham in a sense that he is one of those who follow the faith of Abraham. Thus salvation comes to him, because of his faith(v.9). That's why he climbs up the tree, that's why he is so happy to see Jesus and that's why he gives up the treasure of his life. What have we done because of our faith? Are we eager to read His word, to pray, to come to church and give up our sins?
From the other perspective, the salvation also comes from Jesus who come to seek and save those who are lost (v.10). It seems that Zacchaeus has go extra miles to meet Jesus, but Jesus says he is the one who come to seek us. Have we thank Him for seeking us also? If Jesus does not save us and die on the Cross, there is no use for our faith.
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