Zacchaeus

<<NT tax collector>>

He lived at the time Jesus was on earth. His story is told in Luke 19:1-10.

Zacchaeus was a Jew who worked as a tax collector for the Roman authorities. He wanted to see Jesus but because he was of short build climbed up into a tree to do so. When Jesus came by he called Zacchaeus, by name, stating that He wanted to spend the day at his place. Jesus knows all about us too, we can’t hide from Him.

Lesson from his life: * Zacchaeus had probably abused his position on occasions to enrich himself but showed practical repentance in stating he would give half his goods to the poor and if he had cheated anybody out of anything would repay them four times the amount (Lk 19:8). Jesus declared salvation had come to him that day; not because of his generous actions but the change in heart attitude that led to the outer intentions of restitution (Lk 19:9). When true repentance and conversion takes place the lifestyle and actions will be affected as well as the heart attitudes.

Are my present lifestyle and actions more in keeping with God’s teaching now than before salvation?