and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus who had to pass that way. When Jesus came to the
place, he looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, come down quickly for I must stay at your house today.” So Zaccheus climbed down and
received him joyfully. All the people who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to the house of a sinner as a guest.” But Zaccheus
spoke to Jesus, “Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.” Looking
at him Jesus said, “Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection:
They say that boredom is the playground of
the devil. It could also be the arena where God plays
with His creatures. Take for example Zacchaeus. He is
doing his work day in and day out. The monotony of
his daily schedule makes him eager for a little diversion. A
famous man is passing by. Why not see Him just for the
fun of it. But little does he know that it will change his
life forever. The encounter so marks him that he is willing
to leave everything behind, his comforts, security and
former life. All these he will set aside simply because
Jesus at this particular boring day looks him in the eye and
invites Himself to Zacchaeus’ heart. The poor man is
unable to resist. For the first time, someone looks at him
without judgment. There is only pure acceptance. And so,
Zacchaeus, the tax collector and a sinner in the eyes of the
Jews become Zacchaeus, the disciple of Jesus justified by
the latter’s acceptance of who Zacchaeus is.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021