Seen, Called, Saved: The Story of Zacchaeus


    Have you ever felt you were being over looked or devalued? Maybe it was when you were in school and you were the last one picked to be on a team. Perhaps it was at work and you got passed up for a promotion again. It can feel humiliating and degrading. 

    Of course there are those moments when we would rather stay invisible. Moments when we just wished no one would recognize us or pay us any attention. Maybe it was a time you did or said something embarrassing and you just wish you could crawl in a hole and hide. Or maybe it was some mistake you made that no one seems to forget. It seems to be this dark cloud that is always hanging over you and you just wish people would move on and stop holding it against you.  

    I think we all can relate to both of those experiences. There are moments we want to be recognized and then there are moments we would rather not be seen. However, how would you feel if you could not hide? How would you feel if not only you were recognized but you were called out by name in front of everyone by someone you had never even meet before? 

    This is precisely what happened to a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors in that era were notorious figures, often seen as traitors to their own people because they collaborated with the Roman occupiers and frequently extorted money. They were despised, ostracized, and certainly not the kind of people you'd expect a religious teacher to associate with, let alone seek out.

    Despite all of this we find that Zacchaeus has an encounter with Jesus and it was an encounter he would never forget. It was an encounter that would change his life and inspire so many others who heard his story throughout the centuries. 

Let's dive into the story from Luke's Gospel:

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV):

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And 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 into a sycamore fig 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.”

    Zacchaeus, a man defined by his profession and his reputation, learned profound truths through his encounter with Jesus.

1. He Learned He Was Known by Jesus

    Imagine the scene: a bustling crowd, everyone eager to catch a glimpse of this popular prophet, Jesus of Nazareth. Zacchaeus, short in stature and likely accustomed to being overlooked (or perhaps only "seen" with disdain), climbs a tree just to get a view. He's not trying to interact; he just wants to see. But then, something extraordinary happens. Jesus stops, looks directly up into the tree, and speaks his name: "Zacchaeus."

    This wasn't a random guess. Jesus knew Zacchaeus. He knew his name, his position, and likely the burden of his reputation. In a world where Zacchaeus was primarily known as "the sinner," Jesus saw him. He saw past the façade, past the public perception, and recognized the individual. This is a powerful reminder that in our often anonymous and judgmental world, Jesus knows each of us intimately. He knows our struggles, our deepest desires, and even the hidden parts of our lives. He knows the good things about us, and He knows the not so good things. Jesus knows us better than even we know our selves. There is no hiding from Jesus, He knows you. He knows the things you wish others would see and He knows the things you wish no one would see. We are not just faces in a crowd to Him; we are known.

    The great news is that Jesus did not call Zacchaeus by name in a negative condescending tone. Instead he called him as a friend. He called out to him with love and kindness. Jesus knew everything about Zacchaeus but never forget that despite all that he knew about him, Jesus still loved him. 

    That's not true about Zacchaeus, that is true about you and me as well. Despite all the things that God knows about us. Make no mistake God loves us with a love unmatched by anyone or anything in this world.

2. He Was Called by Jesus

    Not only did Jesus know Zacchaeus's name, but He issued a direct and personal invitation: "hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." This wasn't a suggestion; it was a divine imperative. Jesus had to go to Zacchaeus's house. This act was scandalous to the onlookers. A holy man, a prophet, going to the home of a tax collector? It defied all social and religious norms.

Yet, Jesus's call wasn't just an invitation to hospitality; it was a call to relationship, a call to transformation. It bypassed the judgmental whispers of the crowd and extended grace directly to Zacchaeus. 

    In our lives, Jesus often calls us in unexpected ways, inviting us into deeper relationship with Him, even when we feel unworthy or when others deem us undeserving. His call is always one of grace, inviting us to leave behind what holds us back and embrace new life in Christ. He calls us to put away our sins and our iniquity and live the life that He created us for. It a call to follow Him and live in daily fellowship with him.  

3. He Was Saved by Jesus

    The culmination of Zacchaeus's encounter with Jesus was his salvation. His response to Jesus's presence was immediate and transformative. He stood up and declared, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." This was not just a promise; it was a radical commitment to repentance and restitution, far exceeding what the law required. His actions demonstrated a genuine change of heart, a fruit of the salvation he had received.

    Jesus then declared, "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." Zacchaeus, who was lost in his greed and isolated by his profession, was found and brought into the family of God. His encounter with Jesus didn't just change his external circumstances; it transformed his very being. 

    This reminds us that Jesus's mission is fundamentally about seeking and saving the lost, and that salvation brings about a genuine and tangible change in our lives. When a person encounters and comes into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the result is a change. Sometimes the change is instant, but then there is some changes that happen over the course of a person's life as they continue in fellowship with Jesus Christ.  As we draw closer to Jesus daily, His power and presence in our lives transforms us and shapes us to be more like Jesus. 

Practical Application:

  1. Embrace Being Known: Take time to reflect on the truth that Jesus knows you deeply. In moments of doubt, loneliness, or when you feel misunderstood, remember that the King of the Universe knows your name and cares for you intimately.

  2. Respond to the Call: Are there areas in your life where Jesus is calling you to a deeper relationship, to repentance, or to a new path? Be attentive to His quiet invitations, even if they seem unconventional or challenge your comfort zone.

  3. Live Out Your Transformation: Like Zacchaeus, allow your encounter with Jesus to lead to tangible changes in your life. What actions can you take today that reflect the gratitude and new life you have in Christ? This might involve acts of generosity, making amends, or seeking justice.

  4. Extend Grace to Others: Remember how scandalous Jesus's actions were to the crowd. Who are the "Zacchaeus" figures in your life or community—those who are overlooked, ostracized, or judged? How can you extend the same grace, acceptance, and invitation that Jesus offered?


Location: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA

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