Luke 19:2

ZACCHÆUS

‘And behold, there was a man named Zacchæus.’

Luke 19:2

‘Behold’—here the history of a soul, its struggles into the light.

I. Zacchæus was ‘rich’: the sin is when money is used only for selfish ends. Christ never set the masses against the classes. He assumed there would be poor as well as rich: the rich man, however, was not to do as he liked with his money: he was responsible to God, in fact, he was only a steward.

II. Zacchæus wanted to see Christ.—It was evidently no lazy wish, so he climbed up into a mulberry tree. Robertson said that the motto of this story might be: ‘The successful pursuit of religion under difficulties.’ ‘To-day I must abide in thy house.’ Christ says to-day. Scripture says to-day. Men say to-morrow—or next year.

III. Zacchæus ‘received Him joyfully.’—Christ ever creates His Own welcome. So they said, ‘He is gone in to lodge,’ to stay, ‘with a man that is a sinner’—with a godless man. Carlyle said, ‘Christ calls heroes.’ Not at all. Christ calls sinners and makes them saints. Christ calls commonplace men and makes them heroes. Zacchæus was a hero when he restored fourfold. Four-fold was ordered by the Roman law. The Jewish Law required the principal and one-fifth more (Numbers 5:7).

IV. ‘This day’: here is a present salvation.—‘This house’: Zacchæus is to be a blessing to his family (Psalms 118:15; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:31). The whole thing was wholly unexpected. Of all people Zacchæus was the most unlikely to acknowledge the claims of Christ. This is not an old-world tale. It happens to-day. Love delights in surprises.

—Rev. F. Harper.

Illustration

‘I can picture to myself Zacchæus coming down to his office the day after his conversion. “Now,” says he to one of his clerks, “you overhaul the books with me while the other clerk draws up the cheques.” They haven’t been going into it very long before the clerk says, “There’s something wrong here, sir. This gentleman’s been overcharged considerable.” “I know it,” says Zacchæus; “I can remember there was something wrong there; how much do you make it?” “A matter of sixty pounds, sir,” says the clerk. “Is that so? Well,” says he to the other clerk, “you draw out a cheque.” “For how much, sir,” says the other, “sixty pounds?” “Why, no—for two hundred and forty pounds. It’s fourfold, don’t you remember?” The cheques are all drawn out before the morning’s over, and in the afternoon I fancy I see one of those clerks going his rounds with his pocket full of them. He calls at the house of the first gentleman named, and happens to meet him at the door. “May I speak to you, sir, for a moment?” says he; “I come from Zacchæus’ office on a matter of business.” “From Zacchæus! The old usurer! Hasn’t he got enough out of me yet?” “I’ve brought you some money from him this time, sir.” “Brought me some money! What! from Zacchæus! Come inside. Now sit down. What’s all this you’ve got to tell me about Zacchæus sending me money?” “Well, you see, sir, Zacchæus has been been overhauling his books, and he finds he has overcharged you considerable.” “I know he has, the old rascal; there’s no mistake about that!” “Well, you see, sir, that being the case, he is desirous to make restitution. He finds he has overcharged you about sixty pounds, and so he sends you this;” and he hands him the cheque. “Two hundred and forty pounds! What’s the meaning or this?” “Why, you see, sir, it’s four times sixty. The truth is, Zacchæus is restoring it to you fourfold.” “You mean to tell me this is really from Zacchæus, the publican?” “I do, sir; there’s no mistake about that.” “What’s the matter with the man? Is he going to die?” “No, sir; so far as I know, he is in very good health.” “Is he gone off his head, poor chap?” “No, sir; to the best of my belief he’s still of sound mind.” “Well, but how do you account for it? Whatever has taken the man?” “Well, sir, it appears that Zacchæus has been what you may call ‘converted’ ” “ ‘Converted,’ is he? Well, from this time forth I believe in conversion.” “Yes, sir, they tell me that he was converted suddenly yesterday, when Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.” “ Suddenly, was he? From this day I believe in sudden conversions!” ’