The Lord met Zacchaeus in the city of Jericho. (Luke 191-10)
Roman Tax collectors: Tax collectors got their job or contract by paying the tax of the region in advance to the Roman government. Then he collected taxes with additional fees for his service. They were the most hated by people and the Jewish religious authorities.
Curious but short amid the crowd: Zacchaeus was short, probably heard about Lord Jesus Christ, who was a friend of sinners. Hence, he wanted to meet Him, but had no chance of seeing Jesus, as a crowd surrounded him.
Brilliant strategy: As a resident of Jericho, he knew the thoroughfare and other roads in the city. Hence, Zacchaeus ran a few meters in the direction where Jesus would walk. Finding a sycamore tree, he chose a branch, climbed like a child, and sat on it to get a clear view of the Lord.
Jesus stops! Lord Jesus, who was walking, stopped right under the tree and said: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”
Response of Zacchaeus: He came down and took the Lord to His home. People started a whispering campaign against the Lord. They ridiculed him for being a guest and friend of a sinner.
Repentance and Restitution: In the Holy presence of the Son of God, sinners could see their sinfulness. He repented and promised to make restitution for exploiting people. He was willing to do more than what the Law of Moses demanded. He will restore fourfold what he had collected unlawfully, unjustly and unrighteously. Apart from that, he will give half of his possessions to the poor.
Salvation: Zacchaeus received salvation by faith, that he repented from the bondage, power, guilt and penalty of his sin. Lord commended Zacchaeus that he has been transformed as a son of Abraham. Zacchaeus went back to his profession, unlike Matthew, who left his tax collector’s job. Zacchaeus had to work hard, honestly, and diligently to fulfil his duty as a tax collector, and sacrifice his expenses to pay back and distribute to the poor.
Have I repented, reconciled, and paid restitution?