A Changed Man

As Jesus was making His way toward Jerusalem, "He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee" (Luke 17:11). As He passed through these regions "He entered a certain village" (v. 12) where He healed ten lepers (vv. 13-14), only one of which, "a Samaritan" (v. 16), "a foreigner" (v. 18), came back and "glorified God" (v. 15), "giving Him thanks" (v. 16).

As Jesus and His disciples continued on toward Jerusalem, He answered the questions of the Pharisees who followed along (vv. 20-21) and taught His disciples (vv. 22-37). He told parables to them (Luke 18:1-14), blessed the little children who were brought to Him (vv. 15-17), answered the question of a lawyer, using it as a teaching moment (vv. 18-30), and prepared His disciples for what was to come in Jerusalem (vv. 31-34).

That is the context of our story. Jericho is but a few miles down from Jerusalem, and as they were "coming near Jericho" (v. 35), they came across a blind beggar whom Jesus healed (vv. 35-43). Then, as "Jesus entered and passed through Jericho" (Luke 19:1), our story begins.

"There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich" (v. 2). He wanted to see Jesus, "but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature" (v. 3). As the children's Bible song goes, "Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he" (Sometimes entitled "Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man," the original author and composer are unknown, and the song is widely regarded as being in the public domain. Copyright: Public Domain). "So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way" (v. 4).

When Jesus came by, "He looked up and saw him" and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house" (v. 5). So Zacchaeus did as Jesus instructed. "He made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully" (v. 6). But the Pharisees and the townspeople did not like that at all. They all complained that Jesus "has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner" (v. 7).

Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner, which was something the Pharisees and many others failed to admit. And Zacchaeus understood his need to repent and be changed. He heard God calling him, a sinner, to come home. God was seeking repentance and Zacchaeus was ready.

Zacchaeus repented right then and there, and became a changed man. He said to Jesus, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold" (v. 8). And Jesus, seeing his faith, responded, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham" (v. 9). Then He added, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (v. 10).

Jesus came to save sinners. He calls us to confess our sin and repent. Trust Jesus for your salvation. Live by faith in Him. Amen.