Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus Luke 19

Many reasons could be given as to why Christ was passing through city of Jericho.  Some could say that because it is connected to Joshua in the Old Testament.  Also that it is the oldest inhabited city in the world.  But one good reason why Christ was in Jericho is for one person.  That person is Zacchaeus.  

Luke tells us that there was a shepherd who had 100 sheep and lost one of his sheep.  So he leaves the 99 and searches for the lost sheep.  Here the parable of the lost sheep comes to life.  Christ searches out for Zacchaeus in Jericho.  

The name Zacchaeus means "pure one", but he was not pure until he met Christ.  

Zacchaeus was short in stature and one can imagine that he had to compensate for his short stature by being extra tough on the people he collected taxes from.  

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so badly, that he had to climb a sycamore tree.  In other words, he didn't mind doing something beneath the dignity of a grown, wealthy man. 

Christ knew Zacchaeus by name and called out: Zacchaeus, come down quickly for today I must stay at your house.  Besides his parents and close family members, Christ was the only other person that called out his name in a kind and merciful way.  The kind tone made a huge difference for Zacchaeus.  This man was despised by all, but Christ reached out to him.

But who reached out to who?  One could say that both reached out to each other.  Zacchaeus had to go "out on a limb" to see Christ.  Christ took the risk of associating with Zacchaeus, whom many considered a sinner.  

Christ was associating with a sinner.  However one can see it in this way.  Christ entered the house with a sinner, but he came out of the house with a saved man.  

Zacchaeus could not see the things he was doing wrong until he spent time with Christ.  I usually change for the good after I spend time with Christ in prayer.  

Zacchaeus became a joyful giver after spending time with Christ.  One can be generous either through manipulation or guilt.  But for Zacchaeus, he was a joyful giver because of his time alone with The Lord.  The law requires that if someone stole something, they had to replace it plus 20%.  But Zacchaeus did even better, and he did it with a cheerful heart.  

Christ came to save people like Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus is a descendant of Abraham not only in the literal sense, but also that he had faith and trust in God as Abraham did.  Zacchaeus believed that Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Some people could say it seems so unfair that certain individuals can sin their entire life and then repent at the last moment and then everything is fine again as if all the bad things they have done in the past doesn't really matter.  

Of course, salvation is through God's grace and not human merits.  But the manner of receiving God's grace depends upon our capacity to receive it.  So let's say if we go to a well and draw water.  A person with a bigger container will be able to carry more water.  They have a greater capacity to receive more graces than others for the benefit of the soul.  Spiritual disciplines, sacramental practices, prayerful devotions all help enlarge the capacity to receive the charisms from God.  God is eternal, the Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today, and forever.  God doesn't change.  But we can change in the sense of developing bigger spiritual containers to behold the heavenly glory.  Amen.