Zach was a wealthy man with a serious character issue as well. Much of his wealth was obtained by dishonest means. He lived as a rich man but also a man in rebellion against God; that is until the day Zach heard God call his name. We’ll get back to Zach in a moment.
One of the most illuminating phrases used in the NT to describe a Christian is “the called” (Romans 1:6, 1 Corinthians 1:24). Jesus described his mission to save sinners as having “come to call them to repentance” (Luke 5:32). A Christian is one who has become a child of God “by calling” (1 Corinthians 1:2). He has been “called” out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9) and simultaneously “called” according to God’s purpose. In The Call Os Guinness writes, “Calling is the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to His summons and service.”
The story of our friend Zach serves as a wonderful illustration of God’s calling. Zaacheus ( Zach for short) lived in the city of Jericho during Jesus’ day. Jericho was situated along a major trade route in the most fertile part of Judea. As a result it was a prosperous city. It is not surprising to read that Zach was rich. After all, he was a chief tax-collector in a wealthy city where there would naturally be considerable tax income. However, the tax-collectors of Jesus time were known for abusing the system and cheating people by collecting more than they owed. Zach was rich, but he was a bit richer than he ought to have been. On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Jericho and as usual a crowd had gathered around Him. Zach, who was a rather short fellow, wanted to see Jesus but he couldn’t due to the crowd. Apparently, what Zach had heard about Jesus made him so curious he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a tree to get a look. As Jesus passed by He looked up and said, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” We don’t know the details of the conversation that ensued between Jesus and Zach but what does become clear is that Jesus’ visit to Zach’s house left him a changed man. He repaid (even more than was required by law) those he cheated and began giving to the poor.
The lessons from this story are vital and relevant for us today. First of all, notice that sin doesn’t always feel bad. Zach’s cheating had only served to make him wealthier. Today, pragmatism rules people’s lives. If it works (benefits me!) it must be okay. Our prisons are packed, but what would it be like if all the criminals on the streets and in their offices were caught and imprisoned! It is very possible to get away with sin for a while but in the end the “wages of sin is death”.
The second truth we learn is that Jesus knows us by name. Zach didn’t know Jesus, but Jesus knew Zach. Jesus knows everything about you. He knows your hopes and fears, your thoughts and emotions, what you did yesterday and what you are doing today. He knows your sin. If that is disturbing keep reading!
Jesus loves you despite your sin. Jesus loved Zach. The only recorded incident from Jesus’ stay in Jericho is His encounter with Zach. Could it be that Jesus cared about Zach enough to come to Jericho just for him? Jesus came and died to redeem the whole human race from their fallen sinful nature, but He did it for each individual. He did it for you. If you have not yet heard Him, He is calling you by name through this article! And what is He calling you for? He is calling you so he can come to your house. A person’s home is often used as a metaphor for the person himself. Jesus wasn’t primarily concerned with gaining entrance to Zach’s house, but Zach’s life, his heart.
The final truth from this story is that when Jesus calls us and comes to our house, there is always evidence of His stay. In other words, Jesus comes to our house to do some housecleaning. Confession without conversion and profession without practice seems to be at an all-time high. Remember, Jesus said He came to call sinners to repentance. Zach serves as a great example of Christian conversion. He believed in Jesus, he received Jesus, and he became a follower of Jesus!
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