We don’t know much about Zacchaeus except he was a chief tax collector, short in stature, searching for Jesus, and that he was very rich.
How did he get his money? Tax collectors received their wages by overtaxing others. This system, which an officer gained his income by extorting more money from the people than he had contracted to pay the Roman government, had evidently worked well for Zacchaeus. His location in the major customs center of Jericho was ideal. Being both a member of a generally despised group and wealthy, he is a notable subject for the saying grace of God
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and a rich one at that. His wealth came by cheating the people of Jericho out of their hard-earned money. While Zacchaeus was buying new clothes, the townspeople were struggling to feed their children.
Tax collectors were some of the most hated people during Jesus’ day, so it is safe to assume that the crowd did not want to associate with Zacchaeus. Men and women avoided him. They made jokes about him. He would have felt alone even when surrounded by a crowd.
Surrounded by money and things, he was searching for something more.
Surrounded by a crowd, he felt alone.
The money he amassed didn’t bring him the life it had promised.
Sin does that:
- Promises popularity.
- Promises friends.
- Promises purpose.
- Promises joy.
- Promises life.
This world makes large promises about what will bring security, hope, and purpose. Zacchaeus had surrounded himself with stuff but was in need of something more – a Savior, a new life. He knew that life without Jesus wasn’t a life at all. Zacchaeus had everything he financially needed but missed what his soul needed. So he climbed a tree to see Jesus – hoping to get a glimpse of the one who changes lives. But Jesus, as He approached the tree, called Zacchaeus by name. He was known, loved, and invited into something greater – life with Jesus
Live It:
- Are you hoping that a possession, person, or plan will rescue your soul from the emptiness it feels? Life is only found in the giver of life. Hope is only found in the grace of Jesus.
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
