Zacchaeus

By Guest Writer

Zacchaeus is often remembered as the “wee little man” in the children’s Bible song, but his story is much deeper than that. Once a greedy and lonely man, despised by his neighbors, Zacchaeus experienced a profound transformation after encountering Jesus.

When Jesus passed through Jericho, Zacchaeus was so eager to see Him that he ran ahead and climbed a tree for a better view. As Jesus approached, something incredible happened: He called Zacchaeus by name. Can you imagine the shock Zacchaeus must have felt when this renowned figure not only noticed him but also called on his name personally? Jesus didn’t shout “Hey, guy in the tree!” or use any of the negative labels others had stuck on Zacchaeus, like “tax collector” or “wee little man.” He called him by his given name, which happened to mean “pure” in Hebrew, a meaning far removed from Zacchaeus’s past conduct but one he would prove to live up to.

This personal approach is not unique to Zacchaeus’s story. Throughout Scripture, we see how important names are to God. For example, God called to Adam in the Garden (Genesis 3:9), Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4), and many others such as Abraham, Martha, and even us. Jesus said that He “calls His own sheep by name,” emphasizing that God’s call is deeply personal (John 10:3).

When Jesus calls us, it is never impersonal and he doesn’t use the negative labels we may have picked up. He calls us by our truest identity as His beloved. He wants to enter our life, our house, our heart. He knows our struggles and is reaching out to us personally, offering His love and grace.

God’s call is not only personal but also urgent. Just as Jesus told Zacchaeus to “hurry” and host Him “today,” He calls us to turn to Him now—not when our lives are perfectly in order or when we have enough proof to believe. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, but the invitation to come to Him is available now.

There are two responses to God’s call, as seen in Scripture. Will we be like the rich young ruler who came to Jesus but walked away sad because he couldn’t commit to Him (Mark 10:17–22)? Or like Zacchaeus, will we choose to respond joyfully and welcome Jesus into our innermost self?

Zacchaeus didn’t just invite Jesus into his home—he was genuinely transformed from the inside out. He repented and paid a significant price to right his wrongs. True repentance involves turning away from sin and turning back to God. While repentance may seem costly, the reward is far greater: a joyful life with Christ now and forever.

Whether we’ve already welcomed Jesus into our lives or not, let’s take a moment to listen to His personal call. Hear God saying your name. He knows you, sees you, and loves you no matter what you’ve done or what others say. Only when we invite Jesus in and repent of our sins can we experience the true joy He offers.

Written by Kaitie Stoddard