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Luke 19:5–6 (KJV 1900)

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

INTRODUCTION

The Gospel according to Luke (King James Version) I. The Conversion of Zacchaeus: The Meaning of Conversion, 19:1–10

Introduction: the meaning of conversion is clearly illustrated in the experience of Zacchaeus. The fact that man can be converted should stir hope within every heart that truly senses need and wants to meet God as though face to face.

Opening Up Luke’s Gospel Anti-social Climber (19:1–10)

Zacchaeus belonged to the dishonourable band of tax collectors, who often swindled people out of their money, combining threats with deceit. Such was the occupation of this rich man. He was a chief tax collector, and he would have been familiar with local Roman dignitaries. He had perhaps all but forgotten his Hebrew roots in the mad search after money. Yet the Lord was already at work in his heart for he wanted to see Jesus. This travelling teacher intrigued him. Despite his wealth, he chose the undignified option of climbing a tree to see him. It often happens that those whom the Lord intends to save are made curious to know more about him first.

There is animation and haste in this narrative. He did not walk to the tree but ‘ran’ (v. 4). He was energetic in his desire to see Jesus. Perhaps he felt that he would be unseen in the tree, and that Christ would only notice the people around him. Yet, like that other man from the region of Jericho, Bartimaeus (Luke 18:35–43), he caused the Lord to stop.

Zacchaeus may have felt uncomfortable when the Lord called him by name. After all, the crowd clearly knew Zacchaeus’ occupation (v. 7). Yet he received the Lord joyfully (v. 6), welcoming Jesus of Nazareth to his home.

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CONCLUSION