On the way to Jerusalem "Jesus entered and passed through Jericho." A few
miles from the Jordan, on the western edge of the valley that here spread out into a
plain, the city lay in the midst of tropic verdure and luxuriance of beauty. With its palm
trees and rich gardens watered by living springs, it gleamed like an emerald in the
setting of limestone hills and desolate ravines that interposed between Jerusalem and the
city of the plain.
Many caravans on their way to the feast passed through Jericho. Their arrival was
always a festive season, but now a deeper interest stirred the people. It was known that
the Galilean Rabbi who had so lately brought Lazarus to life was in the throng; and though
whispers were rife as to the plottings of the priests, the multitudes were eager to do Him
homage.
Jericho was one of the cities anciently set apart for the priests, and at this time
large numbers of priests had their residence there. But the city had also a population of
a widely different character. It was a great centre of traffic, and Roman officials and
soldiers, with strangers from different quarters, were found there, while the collection
of customs made it the home of many publicans.
"The chief among the publicans," Zacchaeus, was a Jew, and detested by his
countrymen. His rank and wealth were the reward of a calling
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they abhorred, and which was regarded as another name for injustice and extortion. Yet
the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man of the world that he
seemed. Beneath the appearance of worldliness and pride was a heart susceptible to divine
influences. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus. The report of One who had borne Himself with
kindness and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide. In this chief
of the publicans was awakened a longing for a better life. Only a few miles from Jericho,
John the Baptist had preached at the Jordan, and Zacchaeus had heard of the call to
repentance. The instruction to the publicans, "Exact no more than that which is
appointed you" (Luke 3:13), though outwardly disregarded, had impressed his mind. He
knew the Scriptures, and was convicted that his practice was wrong. Now, hearing the words
reported to have come from the Great Teacher, he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of
God. Yet what he had heard of Jesus kindled hope in his heart. Repentance, reformation of
life, was possible, even to him; was not one of the new Teacher's most trusted disciples a
publican? Zacchaeus began at once to follow the conviction that had taken hold upon him,
and to make restitution to those whom he had wronged.
Already he had begun thus to retrace his steps, when the news sounded through Jericho
that Jesus was entering the town. Zacchaeus determined to see Him. He was beginning to
realise how bitter are the fruits of sin, and how difficult the path of him who tries to
return from a course of wrong. To be misunderstood, to be met with suspicion and distrust
in the effort to correct his errors, was hard to bear. The chief publican longed to look
upon the face of Him whose words had brought hope to his heart.
The streets were crowded, and Zacchaeus, who was small of stature, could see nothing
over the heads of the people. None would give way for him; so, running a little in advance
of the multitude, to where a wide-branching fig tree hung over the way, the rich tax
collector climbed to a seat among the boughs, whence he could survey the procession as it
passed below. The crowd comes near, it is going by, and Zacchaeus scans with eager eyes to
discern the one figure he longs to see.
Above the clamour of priests and rabbis and the shouts of welcome from the multitude,
that unuttered desire of the chief publican spoke to the heart of Jesus. Suddenly, just
beneath the fig tree, a group halts, the company before and behind come to a standstill,
and One looks upward whose glance seems to read the soul. Almost doubting his senses,
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the man in the tree hears the words, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for
today I must abide at thy house."
The multitude give way, and Zacchaeus, walking as in a dream, leads the way toward his
own home. But the rabbis look on with scowling faces, and murmur in discontent and scorn,
"that He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner."
Zacchaeus had been overwhelmed, amazed, and silenced at the love and condescension of
Christ in stooping to him, so unworthy. Now love and loyalty to his new-found Master
unseal his lips. He will make public his confession and his repentance.
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In the presence of the multitude, "Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord;
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from
any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
"And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as
he also is a son of Abraham."
When the rich young ruler had turned away from Jesus, the disciples had marvelled at
their Master's saying, "How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into
the kingdom of God!" They had exclaimed one to another, "Who then can be
saved?" Now they had a demonstration of the truth of Christ's words, "The things
which are impossible with men are possible with God." Mark 10:24, 26; Luke 18:27.
They say how, through the grace of God, a rich man could enter into the kingdom.
Before Zacchaeus had looked upon the face of Christ, he had begun the work that made
him manifest as a true penitent. Before being accused by man, he had confessed his sin. He
had yielded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and had begun to carry out the teaching
of the words written for ancient Israel as well as for ourselves. The Lord had said long
before, "If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt
relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with
thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for
increase." "Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy
God." Lev. 25:35-37, 17. These words had been spoken by Christ Himself when He was
enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, and the very first response of Zacchaeus to the love of
Christ was in manifesting compassion toward the poor and suffering.
Among the publicans there was a confederacy, so that they could oppress the people, and
sustain one another in their fraudulent practices. In their extortion they were but
carrying out what had become an almost universal custom. Even the priests and rabbis who
despised them were guilty of enriching themselves by dishonest practices under cover of
their sacred calling. But no sooner did Zacchaeus yield to the influence of the Holy
Spirit than he cast aside every practice contrary to integrity.
No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is
not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken
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sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct.
Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the
indwelling of the principles of heaven.
The Christian in his business life is to represent to the world the manner in which our
Lord would conduct business enterprises. In every transaction he is to make it manifest
that God is his teacher. "Holiness unto the Lord" is to be written upon daybooks
and ledgers, on deeds, receipts, and bills of exchange. Those who profess to be followers
of Christ, and who deal in an unrighteous manner, are bearing false witness against the
character of a holy, just, and merciful God. Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus,
signalise the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous
practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his
sincerity by making restitution. The Lord says, "If the wicked restore the pledge,
give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity;
. . . none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: . . . He shall
surely live." Ezek. 33:15, 16.
If we have injured others through any unjust business transaction, if we have
overreached in trade, or defrauded any man, even though it be within the pale of the law,
we should confess our wrong, and make restitution as far as lies in our power. It is right
for us to restore not only that which we have taken, but all that it would have
accumulated if put to a right and wise use during the time it has been in our possession.
To Zacchaeus the Saviour said, "This day is salvation come to this house."
Not only was Zacchaeus himself blessed, but all his household with him. Christ went to his
home to give him lessons of truth, and to instruct his household in the things of the
kingdom. They had been shut out from the synagogues by the contempt of rabbis and
worshipers; but now, the most favoured household in all Jericho, they gathered in their
own home about the divine Teacher, and heard for themselves the words of life.
It is when Christ is received as a personal Saviour that salvation comes to the soul.
Zacchaeus had received Jesus, not merely as a passing guest in his home, but as One to
abide in the soul temple. The scribes and Pharisees accused him as a sinner, they murmured
against Christ for becoming his guest, but the Lord recognised him as a son of Abraham.
For "they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." Gal. 3:7.
