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Chapter 61—The Little Man Who Became
Important
This chapter is based on
Luke 19:1-10
.
The city of Jericho lay in the midst of tropic verdure and luxuri-
ance. Watered by living springs, it gleamed like an emerald in the
setting of limestone hills and desolate ravines. The city was a great
center 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 tax collector,” Zacchaeus, was a Jew, and detested by
his countrymen. His rank and wealth were the reward of a calling
which they regarded as another name for injustice and extortion. Yet
the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man that
he seemed. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus. The report of His kindness
and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide.
John the Baptist had preached at the Jordan, and Zacchaeus had
heard of the call to repentance. 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.
When the news sounded through Jericho that Jesus was entering
the town, Zacchaeus determined to see Him. The tax collector
longed to look on the face of Him whose words had brought hope to
his heart.
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The streets were crowded, and Zacchaeus, who was small, could
see nothing over the heads of the people. So, running a little in
advance of the multitude to a wide-branching fig tree, he climbed to
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