Last Updated on November 19, 2025 by Gloria M. Chang
A reflection on Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
©️2025 Gloria M. Chang
Zacchaeus the tax collector finds Jesus in a single, life-changing moment—despite his wealth, shame, and short stature.
At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus Calls Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector burdened by extortion, sought forgiveness and mercy in the poor Christ. Drawn to the light and love of Jesus, the short man darted through the crowd and up a tree to glimpse his savior. Shunned by his compatriots as a traitor and corrupt collaborator with their Roman oppressors, Zacchaeus stunningly received a warm reception from Jesus, who wished to dine with him. Making amends for his lifelong rapacity, the chief taxman pledged before his brethren half of his possessions as alms and fourfold restitution for extortion. In response, Jesus publicly recognized the former outcast as a true “descendant of Abraham,” destined for salvation in the house of the Lord.
Jesus’ declaration acknowledged the root of his mission in Israel and Abraham, its founding patriarch. Although the “father of many nations” preceded the birth of the Messiah in time, he followed him in the order of existence. For Christ, the Son of God Incarnate, transcending time and history, proclaims, “Before Abraham came to be, I AM” (John 8:58).
Christ came to save the sons of Abraham,
Who, like Zacchaeus, found in flesh I AM.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《稅吏撒該找到耶穌》
基督來是為了拯救亞伯拉罕的子孫，
他們如同撒該一樣，在肉身中找到了「我是（基督）」。