He had become rich through extortion... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Jesus looked up and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.
Luke 19:5.

He had become rich through extortion, was despised by his compatriots, small in stature, but fit enough to climb a tree. The chief tax collector Zacchaeus had discovered a way to see Jesus of Nazareth.

The One he wanted to see was the Saviour, Jesus Christ, who had been born to die, but had escaped the murderous intention of a cruel king, grown up inconspicuously in Nazareth, and shown obedience to his parents. At the start of His ministry He had been "anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power" and "went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

Jesus was then going through Jericho. A great crowd accompanied Him; so it was impossible for the small tax collector to get near Him. The sycamore tree was the solution, especially with its foliage of large leaves. Zacchaeus could see without being seen. Why so secretive? How often had he unjustly demanded high payments through his own greed?

Is that only Zacchaeus' problem? What about our egotism, our striving for recognition at the expense of others? Even worse, what about our guilt before God, whose commandments we ignore, although He only seeks our good?

"Zacchaeus, come down!" Zacchhaeus obeyed and experienced Jesus' forgiveness of all his guilt and sin. It is also Jesus' call to us. He is the only One who can grant us a life that makes sense and is free of guilt. But we must heed His word, confess our guilt before God and believe in Christ.

Today's reading: Isaiah 43:8-28 · Hebrews 8:1-6