Luke 19:5, commentary and pictures

When Jesus came to the place He looked up and saw Zacchaeus in the tree, knew him and his desire, and called him personally by name to hasten down quickly because He must stay at his house that day. Zacchaeus had come with a heart already prepared by reports of merciful works and wonderful teaching, convicted of his need to reform, repent, and restore what he had unjustly taken, and longing to know more. By choosing to dine with one others called a sinner, lost, and hopeless, He looked beyond status to show love and mercy to open sinners and outcasts whom others would pass by. His coming to stay is a picture of entering the heart, and genuine conversion is proved by turning from unrighteous practices and making restitution for what was taken unjustly. Instead of cutting such erring characters off and leaving them, He draws them with cords of love to pray for, lead, and guide them, melting hard hearts by tenderness rather than crushing them with harsh judgment.

Setting and Encounter

The place was Jericho, where crowds were eager to honor Jesus after hearing that He had raised Lazarus, a city of sharply different groups that included many priests as well as Roman officials, soldiers, and publicans. Zacchaeus came with a heart already prepared, having heard reports of merciful works and wonderful teaching and longing to see Jesus for himself. Those reported words had taken deep hold of his heart, convicting him of his need to reform his life, to repent, and to make restitution to those he had unjustly taxed and charged at exorbitant rates, while giving him hope as he tried to turn from his wrongs and creating desire to know more of His principles and doctrines, like seed sown and nurtured and ready to bring forth a harvest to the glory of God.

When Jesus came to the place He looked up, saw Zacchaeus in the tree, recognized him and his desire, and personally called him by name to hasten and come down quickly, graciously choosing him and inviting Himself to stay at his house that day as a matter of necessity. Zacchaeus came down and welcomed Jesus joyfully, glad to receive His favor. Jesus rejoiced to meet one who welcomed Him and responded to the gracious drawing of the Spirit.

The choice to visit drew scorn and fault-finding from rabbis and Pharisees who regarded Zacchaeus as a sinner. Yet the welcome was a bright spot for Jesus while traveling through Jericho amid rejection by religious leaders and grief over His family's unbelief.

Mercy and Transformation

Jesus looked beyond despised publican standing to seek Zacchaeus personally and dine at the home of one others called a sinner, lost and hopeless, showing love and mercy to open sinners and outcasts whom people might pass by.
His personal notice and gracious word still reach those thought to be hardened sinners who have lived in serious error and sin.
To those with few and meager opportunities who walked in error because they knew no better way He sends beams of light that soften them and reveal hearts as tender as a child's.
In the time when great light shines from the Word and many with privileges reject it and make void the law, He calls these outsiders to take the place and crowns of those who turned away.

Even before meeting Christ, Zacchaeus had already begun generosity to the poor and restitution for wrongdoing, and those were Christian works though he had not yet met Him.
His welcome of such a despised publican kindled hope that repentance and a changed life were possible.
His coming to stay is also a picture of Christ entering the heart, shown by turning away from unrighteous practices.
Genuine conversion is proved by making restitution and restoring what was taken unjustly, teaching that one who has done wrong should face the principle involved and put things right.

Instead of cutting such objectionable, sick and erring characters off and leaving them to Satan, Christ drew Zacchaeus with cords of love into His own hands to pray for, lead and guide him.
His example teaches tenderness and Christlike sympathy toward the erring rather than harsh judgment.
No barrier is to be built between God and the soul, and no sinner is to be crushed with humiliation and harsh pressure that drives to desperation, stubbornness and discouragement.
Hard hearts are melted by dealing tenderly as Christ dealt.