1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
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. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:1-10 KJV)
Thomas Haweis
Verses 1-10: While the conversion of every sinner’s heart bespeaks the great power of God, the change wrought on some appears still more worthy to be remembered and admired; as in the case of Zacchaeus.
1. He was a publican, yea chief among the publicans, and rich; two great obstructions, in human view, to the salvation of his soul; but Christ has his elect among the great and wealthy, as well as among the poor, and nothing is too hard for his almighty grace. The chief of sinners he can make the chief of saints.
2. He took great pains to get a sight of Christ, and to satisfy a curiosity which the great fame of him had raised: being short, and unable to overlook the crowd of people that usually attended Jesus in his travels, he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see him as he passed by. Note, (1.) They who would gain a sight of Jesus must break through every obstacle in their way. (2.) Curiosity, though often blamable, in many cases is praiseworthy. To see and hear those of whom there are strange reports, is the best way to judge for ourselves.
3. There the eye of Jesus discovered him; and, as he had led him to that tree by the hand of his providence, he now surprises him with the call of his grace, and, by name addressing him, desires him to come down quickly, intending to be that day his guest. With joy the publican obeyed, little expecting such a favour, and received him with heartiest welcome. Note, (1.) Many who have come merely through curiosity to hear and see some minister, whose fame hath been spread abroad, have been graciously surprised with the call of God, and from that hour converted unto him. (2.) There is a wondrous providential disposition of our affairs, which, when we are turned to God, we can reflect upon with amazement, and see his hand leading us when we had not one thought of his designs. (3.) When Christ calls we should gladly run; his word can open for him a welcome into our houses and our hearts, and make us with delight reply, Come in, dear Lord, to me. (4.) Come down, is the gospel call: we must sink low in our own eyes, to rise high in God’s favour.
4. Many, who were present, were exceedingly offended, that one, who professed himself a prophet of such distinguished sanctity, should go to eat with a person who was so notorious a sinner. His profession made him odious as a publican, his riches might be regarded as the fruit of extortion, and his character might be known as infamous: but it did not follow, because he had been bad, that he was so, as their censure implied: nor was Jesus to be blamed for visiting those, who, the more desperate their case seemed, so much the more needed his healing grace.
5. Whatever Zacchaeus had been, he now gives the most undoubted proofs of genuine and unfeigned repentance. The grace of Jesus had powerfully wrought upon his heart, and the effects of it appeared visible in his words and actions. However grasping he had been of wealth, and intent on gain, now at a stroke half his goods he gives to the poor, and, if any man had ought to lay against him of fraud or extortion, he was ready to make the utmost restitution which the law demanded. Note, (1.) One of the best symptoms of real conversion to God is deadness to the world. (2.) There can be no true repentance without restitution, at least without the desire to make it to the utmost of our power. (3.) They who would show the spirit of true charity, should not leave it merely to their wills to bequeath their wealth to pious uses, but employ it during their lives.
6. Christ testified his approval of Zacchaeus’ conduct, and comforted him with the assurance of that salvation which was now come to him and to his house, forasmuch as he also was a son of Abraham. He now showed himself a genuine descendant of this father of the faithful; his salvation was therefore secured, his sins pardoned, his person accepted, and eternal glory his portion, while all his family also shared his mercy. And what Christ had done in this case was in direct conformity with the great design of his coming into the world, to seek and save that which was lost. Note, (1.) Every sinner is a lost soul; lost in error and sin, unable to recover himself, and ready to perish eternally; and a great point is gained, when we begin to be deeply convinced of this alarming truth. (2.) Christ is the Saviour of the desperate: none are so far gone as to be past his recovery. (3.) He must first seek us, or we shall never seek to him for salvation.