He realised he was despised by his own people. He was not only a tax collector on behalf of their Roman oppressors, but he often extorted much more from them than was legally due. He wanted to live lavishly and this dishonest practice had become his source of feeding his love for the “good life”. He paid a price for that choice: He was very unpopular with his neighbours and the church folk wrote him off as one of the worst kinds of sinners.
Recently he became aware of a buzz among the people as he was going about his daily business. Almost everyone was talking about a very kind, and very wise Healer, named Jesus. Apparently He did not look down His nose at the “sinners.” He did great and powerful miracles. No one could fault Him on His words or actions. On the contrary, His way of speaking and the wisdom of His words, left people utterly amazed. He had also heard that Jesus was not very popular with the church people because He refused to dance to their hypocritical tunes. Jesus touched lepers! Jesus give life back to Jairus’ twelve year old deceased daughter with one command! Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man. Jesus also had some “shady” disciples.
But what really had him lying awake at night and thinking about this Jesus, was that he heard Jesus even chose a tax collector, Levi (some call him Matthew), to be His disciple. Over and over that thought ran through his mind. He would lie on his bed at night, his heart beating faster and faster as he thought about that. A man whom they called holy; some even claim He must be the promised Messiah! And He chooses a despised tax-collector to be His disciple! He had never heard of such a man. The ”holy” ones usually kept to themselves, looking down on the rest. They never mingled with bad guys like tax-collectors. But Jesus called a tax-collector to be His disciple! But now, his sense of wonderment grew into great excitement as he heard that Jesus was on his way here to Jericho. He wanted to see Him!
Only problem was that apparently crowds of people mull around Him and it’s not so easy to see Jesus. He thought about ways to overcome this obstacle. He also had another obstacle to overcome. He was not exactly the tallest guy around and that posed another problem to see Jesus. As the crowds approached he knew that was Him and suddenly had a bright idea. He will get into the sycamore-fig tree and look down from the top! As Jesus passed by under the tree, he would certainly have an opportunity to see Him.
Anxiously he waited, his heart pounding wildly. As Jesus passed under the tree, a most astonishing thing happened. He came to a standstill exactly beneath the spot where he was sitting up in the tree! He looked up…and called him by name, “Zaccheus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” He knew his name? He hastily scrambled down the tree, not knowing exactly what hit him. He could hear the church people grumbling something about “Jesus going off to be the guest of a sinner and ignoring all the good church people. Why didn’t he come to their homes? At least they were not as bad as this man!” Jesus didn’t appear to be phased by their comments in the least, and neither was he. He could hardly take in the thought that this wonderful man chose to be his guest.
On the way to his home, he suddenly had concerns about the life he had led.  He felt ashamed now for what he has done. The thought crossed his mind that Jesus is a holy man and that He will inevitably point out his faults to him and preach to him about changing his ways. In his home, he awaited the moment that would happen.
However, Jesus appeared relaxed and at ease. Furthermore, His presence seemed to fill his entire home with light and love. He looked at this man and felt so small. He wants to live right! This man is the Messiah. He believes!  He wants to give His life over to God and His ways. Suddenly he jumped up and declared: “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Trying to catch his breath after that statement, he awaited Jesus’ reply. The Lord said, “Today salvation has come to this house…”
And so Zaccheus received salvation without finger-pointing, without Jesus highlighting his errors, without an altar call, without attending special classes! He received salvation by the kindness of God. By grace, through faith!
“At whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself…Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance? (Romans 2:1,4)
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