How Jesus changed Zacchaeus in the Bible
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1. He was a Chief tax collector 1. He was a Chief tax collector From these verses, we learn what Zacchaeus did for a living. He collected taxes and since it says he was a chief tax collector, that means he probably had people under him collecting taxes and getting a cut off the profits. When I study the Bible, there are a few resources I go to for more information. One of which is actually a book I gave to my children. It’s called: what does the Bible say about… the ultimate A to Z resource. This is what that book had to say about tax collectors. “Tax collectors gathered several different types of taxes. Depending on the kind of rule in a given Jewish province, Rome levied a land tax, a poll tax, even a tax for the operation of the temple. As a class, tax collectors were despised by their fellow Jews and associated with sinners (Matt 9:10-11; Mark 2:15). They often gathered more than the government required and pocketed the access amount. But tax collectors were also hated because their fellow citizens vied them as mercenaries working for the Roman oppressors.” (What does the Bible say about… the ultimate A to Z resource, Thomas Nelson Inc copyright 2001, page 397) Why does it matter what he did? When the Bible talks about different people, we don’t always know what they did for work. But with Zacchaeus, we do. Why does this matter? As noted above, we know that tax collectors were hated and not well regarded. Tax collectors took more money than needed. They were essentially stealing money and lining their pockets with profit. These facts let us know that Zacchaeus would not have been welcomed in Jewish society and he would not be trusted. In modern terms, he would have been a scammer of their time. Not someone we would wish to know and certainly not someone we could trust. People’s behaviour towards Zacchaeus is completely understandable. Who would want to invite a cheater and a swindler into their homes? Not many people would open their doors to such sinners. But Zacchaeus’s sins did not stop Jesus. Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was, and that he was searching for answers and Jesus took time to talk to sinners and even went into his house. Do we let people’s sins cloud our minds and keep us from sharing the Love of God with them? I know that if I searched my heart, it would not take long for me to realize that I often let people’s sins keep me from loving them as God loves us. 2. Zacchaeus was rich 2. Zacchaeus was rich We know that being rich is not a sin. But, the truth is, rich people have a harder time seeing their need for God. The Bible says: For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When someone has a lot of money, they have a harder time depending on God for their daily needs. This is because they know where their next meal will come from, and they have confidence knowing that they can pay their bills. People who are “poor” have an easier time accepting God because they have so much need in their life. A few years after my husband and I got married, we were in a troublesome financial situation. My husband had lost his job, I was a stay-at-home mom and our savings had been completely spent. We had no clue how we could pay our bills and didn’t know what the next day would bring- let alone the next year. Our financial need drove us to our knees. We prayed for God’s provision and work in our lives so that we could eat, and have a roof over our heads. Our need was so large we knew we needed to depend on God. That time in our life was very difficult, but it helped us depend on God for our every need. Now, we are in a much better financial situation. Because of that, we know how our daily needs will be met. We don’t have as many needs. That leads us to forget that all our needs and our current position is given to us by God. It’s easy for us to think that it was us who provided for what we have and not God. Thankfully, our past experience of need has helped us. Because we depended on God completely- we got used to going to God daily. That habit has not stopped. Our needs are not as large but our hearts were transformed. We know God has given us everything we have. If someone has never had a financial need, or physical need or any other need– I could see how they might think they don’t need God. When you are your own provider, it’s hard to depend on God for your needs. 3. Zacchaeus Obeyed Jesus 3. Zacchaeus Obeyed Jesus When Jesus walked by the tree, He stopped and started a conversation with Zacchaeus. Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down because Jesus was going to stay at his house today. When Zacchaeus heard this- he came down with haste. He obeyed quickly. As a parent, I know the joy it is to have my children obey me without question, and I also know the frustration when my children disobey or obey with reluctance. Jesus is very similar to us when it comes to obedience. He wants us to obey His commandments and do so with joy. How quick am I in obeying The Lord? Do I obey out of duty or love? Do I obey with a willing heart or a reluctant heart? These are all questions I ask myself when I read this story. Zacchaeus is a good reminder for me to obey God quickly and with Joy. 4. Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully 4. Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully When Jesus invited Himself over to Zacchaeus’s house, the crowd around them started to complain. The bible says in : All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” The people around were not happy that Jesus was going to stay with a sinner. I think they thought that they were more deserving of a visit or at least that Zacchaeus was not deserving of such an honor. But Zacchaeus did not let the crowd’s comments or his past behaviour keep him from receiving Jesus. He received Jesus with Joy. When we see “sinners” accept Jesus, do we feel jealous or happy for them? When we know what Jesus wants us to do and invites us to do it, do we do so with Joy or with dread? Example from my Life: A few years ago, I had 2 children, and the youngest had just turned 2 and I felt like I had left one stage and entered into a new stage where I had more time. I was looking for something to fill my time. So, I turned to The Lord. I told Him I had more space in my life and that I was ready for Him to fill it with what He desired. His answer came quickly. Have another baby. I was not thrilled with that response. I had no desire to have a third baby and I had been convinced that I was done with having children. So, I let it go. A while later, I asked again. The answer was the same. I am not sure how many times I asked- it was at least 2 times. But my obedience was not right away and I certainly did not respond in Joy. But, I finally obeyed. Within a week, we had conceived our 3rd baby. I could not be happier with how our family is today. Had I not obeyed- there are so many things that we would have missed out on. When I look back- I wish that I had obeyed right away and that I had done so with joy. God knows us. He knows what is best for us. I still don’t fully understand the magnitude of that, but as I continue to live my Christian life, God continues to show me that His ways are best and that they are good- even if at first we are not convinced. What happened after Zacchaeus met Jesus
DA: 1 PA: 2 MOZ Rank: 83
