Zacchaeus: the Chief of Sinners
Zacchaeus was no ordinary tax collector. He’s the chief tax collector. If even a tax collector was hated by the Jews, how much more was this Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus is the chief of sinners. In verse 7 it says: “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This is a continuation of the theme of the lost lamb, coin and youngest and eldest son.
If the prodigal son is the youngest running for pleasure and worldly satisfaction. His father ran to him and hugged him. Zacchaeus gave half of his property to someone else and paid 4 times what he had extorted.
Interestingly, Jesus did not say anything about what would normally be considered “spiritual”. He just said ”Zaccheus, hurry down, because today I have to stay at your house.” Jesus showed his argument through his actions.
Rev. Hermawan