THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

207Zacchaeus was a tax collector, in fact he was a “chief” tax collector (19:2). This is aposition referred to only here in the Bible, and it probably designated one to be in charge of adistrict, with other tax collectors under him. The region was prosperous at this time, so it is nowonder that Zacchaeus had grown rich (3:12; Mk 2:14-15).HUMILITY (19:3)Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he couldn’t see Himbecause of the crowd (v. 3). He was resourceful, after all, he had not become chief tax collectorfor nothing, so he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore-fig tree to be able to see Jesus, sinceJesus was coming that way. The sycamore-fig tree was easy to climb and often planted by theroadside. It was a sturdy tree from 30 to 40 feet high, with a short trunk and spreading branches,capable of holding a grown man. In fact, Amos, the Old Testament prophet, used to work as ashepherd and took care of sycamore-fig trees (Am 7:14).Zacchaeus did not let his dignity get in the way of seeing Jesus. He climbed up thetree. He was desperate to see this Teacher from Nazareth.The shortness of his stature was amply compensated by his agility and invention (v. 4).Had he been as tall as most of the people in the crowd, he might have been equally unnoticedwith the rest. His getting into the tree made him conspicuous. Had he not been so short he maynot have done so. Our imperfections may become subservient to the grace of God. As thePassover was taking place, the road was probably crowded with people going to Jerusalem; butthe fame of the cure of the blind man was probably the cause of the concourse at this time.JESUS’ DIVINE MISSION (19:5)When Jesus reached the spot where Zacchaeus was sitting, He said, “Zacchaeus, comedown immediately. I must stay at your house today” (v. 5). Jesus’ statement seems to implydivine necessity. Jesus sought Zacchaeus. He saw His visit to Zacchaeus as part of His divinemission.Zacchaeus responded immediately with joy by coming down from the tree andwelcoming Jesus into his home.