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.
