Jesus and Zacchaeus

1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10

Location of Jericho

Jericho is about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem near the Jordan River. It’s known as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It’s also the first city that the Israelites conquered when they arrived in Canaan after their escape from Egypt some 1,400 years earlier.

Today, Jericho is located within the Palestinian territory known as the West Bank. The city’s current population is about 20,000, and the ruins of the ancient city lie among modern houses and hotels.  

The wealth of Jericho

At the time of Jesus, Jericho was known as an oasis city. In fact, Herod the Great built his winter palace near here because of its warm climate and freshwater springs. The Bible describes Jericho as the “City of Palm Trees.”

Since Jericho catered to the rich and powerful during the time of Jesus, homeless outcasts often lined the roads in and out of town because it was a good place to encounter the well-to-do traders and political elites.

Zacchaeus lived in Jericho.  He was wealthy and accumulated his wealth through his position as Government Tax Collector  He was despised by the people because he often collected more than was due.

He was short of stature.  When he heard that Jesus was coming to Jericho, he wanted to see Him. He climbed up in a Sycamore Tree to get a good view of Jesus.  Jesus saw him and spoke to him.

Verse 5-- When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

Verse 6-- Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

The lesson for you and me is clear.

Jesus Sees me.

Jesus Knows Me.

Jesus Desires me.

Jesus Can Have Me.

Jesus Will Change Me.

 Verse 8-- Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Verse 9-- Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 

Verse 10-- For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

 It could well be that Verse 10 is the Bible’s most important verse.  Jesus sought Zacchaeus.  He seeks you and me.