Zacchaeus had climbed a tree to see Jesus, and Jesus asked to come to his house. Zacchaeus responded with a joyful reception of Jesus. Luke 19: 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. [1]
While Zacchaeus was curious about Jesus, Jesus was the one who took the initiative. “This is the only instance in the four Gospels of Jesus inviting Himself to someone’s home.”[2] Jesus did not preach condemnation to Zacchaeus. It appears that Jesus wanted to have a meal and time to spend together with Zacchaeus.
This is the kind of situation John described. Revelation 3: 20 “Look! I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.[3] Jesus desires a relationship with us.
Zacchaeus’ Response
Zacchaeus was not embarrassed or irritated that Jesus had invited Himself over for a meal. On the contrary, he received the Lord with great excitement and joy. He immediately climbed down from the tree and took Jesus to his house.
The Greek word translated quickly in verse 6 is “speudo.”It can mean to make haste or to desire earnestly.[4] I think Zacchaeus hurried down from the tree because he really did earnestly desire a visit from Jesus. His joyful response demonstrated his faith and a willing heart.
The community saw him as a notorious sinner. They couldn’t believe that he was redeemable. He was used to ignoring what people said about him, and he continued to ignore the crowd. At this point, he seems to be willing to change his life.
How do We Receive Jesus?
Even though Zacchaeus was a wayward Jew, he would have known what David said. Psalm 16: 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. [5]
Our story takes place only days before Jesus will be crucified. The Father will not let Jesus stay in the tomb, and three days later, Jesus will rise from the dead. At this point, Zacchaeus would not know this. But he would have known that there was joy in the presence of God with the promise of living forever. Jesus, as the Son of God, brought that joy.
The presence of Jesus transformed Zacchaeus and can still transform us today. Our joyful reception of Jesus’ transforming work comes through faith. Jesus did pay the price for our sins on the cross. When we confess and repent, He begins to make us new. Our obedience to Jesus will bring joy and fulfillment that the world can never give. How do you receive Jesus?
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/called-to-wholeness-through-faith
[1,3,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 252). Victor Books.
[4] G4692, Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.