July 12, 2026 · Mark Bishop
Just Visiting
“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
Luke 19:1-10 →
## The Big Little Man
Zacchaeus is said to be a chief tax collector, and he was rich. Tax collectors are an interesting group during this time. They were Jews who were hated by the Jews. Not only were they working for and alongside the Roman government whom the Jews were against, but they also took advantage of that association. They could easily overcharge without any consequence from the Romans as long as they got the correct tax. They also would lend money to other Jews at a high-interest rate. Their focus was to be wealthy. Though it's missing from several writings, I tend to believe the Romans were not too fond of the tax collectors either. The reason being is the Romans were a very loyal group. You didn't attack or talk down to their leader, and if you did, strict punishment would follow. From their perspective, the tax collectors were Jews who traded in their own people for money and to work for the enemy. I don't think the Romans would trust them too much. Good thing taxes were
written down, but anything extra would go in the tax collectors pockets. Can you imagine being hated by both sides? While a wealthy life would be their reward, we know that riches don't equal joy. There would still be a lack in their lives to a degree that only God would be able to fill. Zacchaeus confessed in verse 8 of the wrong he had done and is trying to correct it, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus replied that salvation was there in Zacchaeus' home. It doesn't matter what you've done or how people see you. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to forgive one another. He visited a wealthy man, that was hated and a crook, who still needed a Savior. Zacchaeus' life shows while having power and wealth, there is still something missing- that being Jesus.
## Self-Check
Let's be thankful He saw us where we were, on a tree looking from afar while being hated and sinning. He called us by name, visited our home, and brought salvation to us.
## Jesus Maccabee?