Jesus demonstrates His humility in today's reading. Although He was the Son of God and could have been entertained by anyone, He chose to go to Zacchaeus' house. Everything about this story speaks to the humility of Christ.
Jesus and His disciples had sojourned to Jericho. Jericho is the lowest city on earth in elevation, sitting approximately 850 ft below sea level. Jericho was also an evil city identified with the judgement of God (see Joshua 5). When He arrives in Jericho, the person He chooses to visit is an odd choice.
Zacchaeus is a short man (20:3) and is in a hated profession - tax collection - and is the chief tax collector in the region (v. 2). Evidently, Zacchaeus had a strong desire to see Jesus. The scripture does not elucidate the details of his need to see Him, but Zacchaeus was will to abase himself and climb a tree to get a glimpse of the Savior.
His actions impressed Jesus to the point that he ordered him out of the tree and essentially invited Himself to dinner at Zacchaeus' house (v. 5). So happy is Zacchaeus that he immediately begins to explain to Jesus how he will make restitution (per Levitical Law) to those whom he had cheated (v. 8). Because of the correctness and sincerity of his response, Jesus tells Zacchaeus, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham."
The lessons from Zacchaeus should not be lost on the Christian. Regardless of our low station in life and the sins we have committed, if we have a desire to fellowship with Jesus, He will make a way for that to happen.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word
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