Universality

By the time Luke wrote his gospel Christianity had spread through the Roman Empire, embracing Gentiles as well as Jews. Luke sets the scene for this by emphasising the universality of the gospel which Jesus proclaimed, which included tax collectors, sinners, women, foreigners and other ‘outsiders’. The Gospel proclaimed the message that everyone was eligible for citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Nothing from God’s point of view would bar a person from entry, providing that person responded to the invitation, recognising their need of God. People, who were so self-righteous that they did not see their need of God could cut themselves off by their blindness, but God’s offer remained open to everyone. The basis of this offer was that everyone was God’s creation and everyone mattered to God because everyone was part of God’s plan and needed to be ‘on board’.

Wealth

Jesus’ teaching about wealth gives pointers rather than a clear code of practice. Wealth comes with dangers, the chief being that it can become like a god, demanding allegiance and becoming the main focus of a person’s life. Jesus said that it was necessary to choose between serving God or money. Money makes it harder for a person to get their priorities right and God often takes second place to money. In this encounter, Zacchaeus contrasts with the rich man Luke 18:18-23 whom Jesus told to sell everything and give to the poor. Wealth in spiritual matters as opposed to material wealth is a thread running through the Bible. Spiritual wealth is eternal whereas material wealth is part of this material existence.

Sinner

'I have come not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance' means:

• For outcasts like Zacchaeus, there is the affirmation of the right to belong to the people of God after repentance.
• For communities inclined to exclude, there is the challenging reminder of Jesus' mission and example.
• For the wealthy, it is the model of what conversion should mean.

Jesus was interested in those in need of God who were ready to change their ways to restore their relationship with God.

Repentance

Zacchaeus had everything to keep him from repentance - his wealth, the ‘hardness of his heart’ induced by his unpopularity, his high position. His was a very practical form of repentance, which prepared him to return to God. In response to Jesus’ acceptance of him and willingness to eat with him, he realised his need to repent in order to wipe his slate clean before God. This repentance was shown in practical terms, which enabled him to have a new start with God.

Discipleship

The meaning of discipleship is expressed in Zacchaeus’ joyful and immediate response. He took his opportunity, not holding back anything in order to make amends and demonstrate his repentance and determination to lead a new life. His was complete commitment, shown through drastic changes to his life-style.

Jesus' Example

Here is a very practical example of how Jesus made contact with those considered ‘sinners.’ He took the initiative and invited himself to the sinner’s house. He broke through social convention to ensure he made personal contact with the outcast. He made Zacchaeus feel that he mattered.