Zacchaeus as Zacchaeus?

It is said that some German regions have unique customs on the anniversaries of the temple’s dedication that they attach a figure made of straw or rags to a decorated pole. Then this decorated pole is carried to the church for ceremonial services. They call this figure Zacchaeus, which is supposed to resemble the biblical Zacchaeus we heard about in today’s Gospel.

Who was Zacchaeus? In later writings, it is said that he became a companion of Saint Peter and appointed him the first bishop of Caesarea, where he died a martyr’s death. According to French tradition, he came to Gaul as a preacher of the Gospel, but he is also revered in Ethiopia as their local saint. We see that these are different legends, although it is very likely that Zacchaeus joined the disciples of Jesus after his conversion.

What does the Gospel tell us about Zacchaeus? What happened at that time in Jericho, Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, that is, a rich and influential person, but at the same time, hated and despised by fellow citizens because we know that the customs officers worked for the benefit of the Roman occupiers, they were then typical collaborators. Jesus comes to Jericho with his disciples. People are curiously converging, crowding the path he is taking. Even Zacchaeus wanted to at least see the famous prophet out of curiosity. The Holy Scriptures say that he wanted to see his appearance and who he was. Zacchaeus was short, so he didn’t stand a chance in the crowded street. His curiosity is so great that he doesn’t care about his age or position, and like a boy, he climbs into the crown of a fig tree, where he has a beautiful view. But something unheard of happened here. The Lord Jesus stopped under this fig tree, looked up, and invited Zacchaeus to come down, that he wanted to be his guest today. It was an unheard-of confession. Such a famous prophet notices him, wants to come to him and eat with him, and even spend the night! That’s why Zacchaeus climbs down from the tree and invites him to his house. But protests begin to be heard from the crowd standing around, who have been watching this scene with suspense: A public sinner, a publican, and that is what this prophet will honor with his visit! as if we, honest and good Israelites, were not here – more worthy of hosting this famous preacher.

The situation from the Gospels, which is so well known to us, is repeated here. The Lord Jesus bows to the sinner and those who pretend to be righteous protest, doubting the authenticity of Jesus’ mission. How can a true prophet behave like this? We have already heard about it several times. And the Lord Jesus answers here as he has many times before: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk 19:10). This tax collector, a descendant of Abraham, is also entitled to salvation. And the sinner Zacchaeus responds just as Jesus wants it to. “Lord, I will give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have deceived anyone, I will repay fourfold” (Luke 19:8).

It is a similar experience for Zacchaeus as before for Levi, the son of Alphaeus, called Matthew, and later for Saul near Damascus, when in one moment, he understands who Jesus is and what needs to be done. Saul became Paul, and here Zacchaeus, the tax collector, became a disciple of the Lord.

In the Gospel, we read that even in Jericho, enthusiastic crowds saw Jesus, but only Zacchaeus is said to have drawn consequences from the meeting with the Lord Jesus. How would we react, or better said, how do we respond? We meet the Lord Jesus all the time. He is still with us, still giving us a sign, still urging us to come down and follow him. He still wants to be our guest. Are we always ready to receive Jesus? Are we always willing to follow him like Zacchaeus? Sure, we may now accept Jesus’ invitation to worship and gather around his table, but do we also fulfill his other commands, and are we willing to give half of our possessions to the poor? Are we willing to compensate four times the one we deceived and wronged? Are we willing to forgive those who have trespassed against us? In short and wisely – are we ready to live our faith radically, as Zacchaeus did when he climbed down from the tree and saw and believed in the Lord Jesus?

And you, dear friends, who do not know the Lord Jesus, are you willing to climb a tree to at least see him and desire to know who he is?

One priest recalls: “During the last war, we were forced into labor. I was in Linz. One Sunday afternoon, we came across a group of Russian prisoners in the city who were working on a bridge there. The young boys were standing in front of a large cross and silently looking at Christ nailed to the cross. When we addressed them, they turned and asked incomprehensibly, pointing to the cross: “Why?”

Have you also asked yourself this question, who does know Christ yet? You, too, walk on the Prague Bridge and see Christ nailed to the cross. You, too, are sons of Abraham; you are daughters and sons of a nation that knew Christ a thousand years ago and enthusiastically accepted him as its Lord and God. For he came to seek and save what perished. Accept him today with joy like Zacchaeus, so that Christ can say to you: “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:10)