Zacchaeus
469
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 realize 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 clamor 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, the man in the tree hears the words, “Zacchaeus, make haste,
[554]
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.”