Luke 19:2-7
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
Comments
Tax collectors were despised as traitors because they were Jews who collected taxes on behalf of Rome. They were also considered to be crooks because they purchased their positions with the understanding that they could keep whatever taxes they collected above what Rome demanded. The tax collector’s profit was thus the tax payer’s loss.
As chief tax collector, Zacchaeus would have profited greatly from the entire, corrupt system.
Reflections
Zacchaeus was a man who wanted to meet Jesus. He had no idea how much Jesus wanted to meet him. Do you think of your own story as one of finding Jesus or of being found by Jesus?
Jesus asked to visit Zacchaeus at his home and found a warm welcome there. Has Jesus been warmly welcomed into your home or do you connect with him mainly at church?
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for loving me long before I came to love you. Help me welcome you into every part of my life and home.
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