Luke 19:1–5 (NIV)
“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’”
Zacchaeus was a man of status, power, and wealth. As a chief tax collector, he worked under Roman authority, often viewed by his fellow Jews as a traitor and a sinner. Yet, despite his social standing and material success, he sensed something was missing and that “something” was Jesus.
Driven by a deep curiosity and perhaps a spiritual hunger, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus. But when Jesus reached him, He said something profound:
“Zacchaeus, come down immediately.” (v. 5)
This call wasn’t just about coming down from a tree. It was symbolic. To truly receive Christ, Zacchaeus had to come down from his place of pride, status, and self-reliance. The tree represented more than height it represented everything he was trusting in besides God.
In Scripture, pride is consistently portrayed as something that separates us from God. The “tree” in this story can be seen as a metaphor for:
The pride of wealth (1 Timothy 6:17)
“Command those who are rich… not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God…”
The pride of position or authority (Matthew 23:12)
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The pride of beauty or self-image (Proverbs 31:30)
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
The pride of knowledge or education (1 Corinthians 8:1)
“…Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”
These things are not evil in themselves, but when they become obstacles to faith and humility, they hinder our relationship with Christ.
Luke 19:6 (NIV)“So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”
Zacchaeus responded immediately and joyfully. That’s the essence of true repentance not only turning from sin, but also turning toward Christ with eagerness and surrender. His humility led to transformation:
Luke 19:8 (NIV)“Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
This wasn’t to earn salvation, but a fruit of his salvation public sign of his changed heart. According to Old Testament law, restitution for fraud required repayment plus one-fifth (Leviticus 6:1–5). Zacchaeus went far beyond that fourfold showing genuine repentance and renewal.
Jesus then declares:
Luke 19:9–10 (NIV)“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Salvation didn’t come because Zacchaeus gave money or made restitution. Those were signs of the real work of grace that had already taken place. He was found by Christ, and in response, he laid everything down including his pride.
Many today are still sitting in their own “sycamore trees” elevated by pride, achievements, or self-sufficiency. But Jesus calls each of us to come down. He wants to abide in our hearts, but we must first humble ourselves.
James 4:6 (NIV)“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Let this story remind us that no one is too lost, too rich, or too sinful to encounter Jesus. But the way to Him is through humility. Only when we “come down” spiritually, emotionally, and mentally can we experience the joy of true fellowship with Christ.
“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5)
He is still calling. Will you come down?
Print this post