EmmDev 2022-10-27 [Month of Mission 2022] How Did Jesus Reach Zacchaeus?

How Did Jesus Reach Zacchaeus?

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of 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.' " But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke19:1-10)

This text tells us a story of Jesus passing through the city of Jericho on His way to Jerusalem to face His death and his encounter with a tax collector named Zacchaeus. The inevitable suffering and death waiting for Him in Jerusalem did not stop him from fulfilling His mission in Jericho - the mission of salvation. Let's bear in mind that during this time the Jews were under the rule of the Romans who subjected them to heavy taxes. Tax collectors were hired Jews who openly added extra to enrich themselves and this resulted tax collectors being despised and being considered traitors and dishonest by Jewish people. It is no surprise then to know that Zacchaeus was despised by fellow Jews. At first glance Zacchaeus looked like he was doing pretty well in life, but he was a despised man in his community, and had no social life, because people ignored and shunned him.

His height worsened his situation as he was not able to see Jesus. The desire to see and encounter the Savior was there but his status and height made it difficult for him. Interestingly, his determination to encounter Jesus led him to climb a tree, an act that could damage his dignity. Zacchaeus strategically put himself in a position that made Jesus to see him resulting in Jesus going to his house to dine with him.

This story however, tells us that Jesus:
- Identifies us in our brokenness
- Calls us to be reconciled to him
- Values and accommodates us despite our weaknesses
- Saves and transforms the lives of those who seek Him
- Invites us to fellowship with Him.

Beloved in Christ, Jesus is willing to reconcile us to God and the last verse reminds us that He came to seek and save the lost. This message of salvation was the crux of His mission and that hasn't changed. Jesus is still there to find sinners, outcasts and outsiders, but the question about our willingness to be found remains. Just like Zacchaeus, we all need to encounter Jesus and there is no qualification needed for us to meet Him. We don't have to make all things right with all our dealings before letting him in. He already knows who we are. It doesn't matter who you are or what you are like, Jesus' arms are wide open to embrace you. His presence and his love for us will lead us to admit where we have been wrong and making things right, to reconcile ourselves to one another and to God as well.
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I am Reverend Clarence Tungunu and I am married to Anna Tungunu. We do have two kids Iana (girl) and Ian (boy). I am currently serving at Hatfield Presbyterian Church within the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.

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