Expository Thoughts (continued)
been strongly set out there. The Holy Spirit now proceeds to show us, by the example of Zacchaeus, that nothing is impossible with God.
4. Climbed a sycamore-fig tree. The ridicule that such an action would bring on Zacchaeus should be remembered. A wealthy tax collector climbing up a tree, after running along a road, to see a religious teacher would doubtless call forth mockery from all who saw him. Yet this detail, trifling as it seems, throws light on Zacchaeus' character. He was someone who did not care about man's opinion. He wanted to see Christ, and he would not be stopped.
5. "I must stay at your house today." It should be noted that this is the only place in the Gospels where our Lord goes to be a guest uninvited. This is a very important point. Christ sometimes comes to those who do not seek him (Isaiah 65:1).
Our Lord's complete knowledge is clearly shown here. Not only did he know the name of the man in the tree but the state of his heart (compare John 1:48).
6. He came down at once and welcomed him gladly. It is precisely at this point that the conversion of Zacchaeus seems to have taken place. The unexpected condescension of such a famous teacher of religion in offering to be a tax collector's guest was made the means by which the Spirit changed that man's heart. Nothing is so frequently found to turn the hearts of great sinners as the unexpected and undeserved news that Christ loves them and cares for their souls. These tidings have often broken and melted hearts of stone.
7. Began to mutter. The Greek word here is only used in one other place in the New Testament (Luke 15:2). It is there used in precisely