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.”
Reflections
Jesus finds Zacchaeus in a tree and invites himself home with him. Zacchaeus welcomes him rejoicing. This occasion is met with grumbling among those who observe that Jesus is hanging about with sinners. Zacchaeus resolves the issue of his wealth by saying that he is giving half of his possessions to the poor and paying back those he has defrauded four times what he has taken. The conversion of Zacchaeus by sharing his wealth to the poor leads Jesus to say that salvation has come to his dwelling place. He responded to the call of Jesus to change his way of life from being possessed by his wealth and greed to a life that is marked by justice and solidarity. And Jesus adds: “... because he, too, is a son of Abraham.” In other words, even the most marginalized and despised of the rich, the tax collectors, have a place in the bosom of Abraham, in the community of the blessed, when they seek the right treasure. Jesus found him and went to Zacchaeus’ house. By seeking him in the first place, Zacchaeus found the best in his own humanity and the grace of God’s mercy. Jesus keeps seeking us that we may find our true home.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2018