Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:8–10; NKJV)

Chapter 19 in the Gospel of Luke is a transition between two major sections of Luke’s narrative. The first half of the chapter (verses 1–27) closes out the large central division focusing on the Gospel of the Kingdom of God with a brief review of Jesus’ Kingdom priorities. The second half of the chapter (vv. 28–48) begins the next major division, which narrates the presentation of Israel’s Messiah, beginning with the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem.

Since the beginning of chapter 8, Luke has focused His narrative on the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (8:1). Chapter 15 reveals the heart of the Kingdom—seeking and saving the lost. In chapter 19, Luke illustrates this truth with Jesus’ seeking out and staying with Zacchaeus as He journeys through Jericho.

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. As I have noted elsewhere, his vocation would group him with the “sinners” and other less-thans in ancient Jewish society. We might describe Zacchaeus as a seeker, curious enough about Jesus to desire to see Him as He passed through town (19:3–4).

Jesus did not merely cross paths with Zacchaeus. Luke’s narrative reads as though Jesus knew and planned to encounter Zacchaeus. To phrase it another way, Jesus “sought out” Zacchaeus. Then, when Jesus finds him, He extends an invitation of friendship by requesting to stay at Zacchaeus’ house.

There is a stark difference between Zacchaeus’ response and that of the crowds. Zacchaeus “received Him joyfully” (v. 6). It seems to me that, at that very moment, Zacchaeus exercised saving faith in Jesus. The fruit of His conversion is evidenced not only by His repentant generosity, but also by Jesus’ clear statement that “salvation has come to [Zacchaeus’] house, because he also is a son of Abraham” (v. 9).

But the crowds complained. Yet again, Jesus chose to “be a guest with … a sinner” (v. 7; c.f., 15:2). This criticism plagued Jesus’ ministry (7:34). Indeed, we call Jesus “friend of sinners,” because that is who He showed Himself to be.

But we must be clear on this point—Jesus did not and does not befriend sinners in our sin—He befriends us in spite of it. Why? Because He became a man precisely for this reason—to experience our weakness in Himself, that He might sympathize with our weakness and have compassion toward us (Heb 4:15–5:2).

What does this mean for followers of Jesus? It forces us to consider two questions in our own hearts: 1) do I receive Jesus joyfully like Zacchaeus, or with complaining, like the crowds? And 2) am I following Jesus’ example, seeking out, sympathizing with, and sharing my hope in Him with the lost, or do I, like the scribes and Pharisees, “despise others” (18:9)?

As Jesus Himself explained, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (5:31–32). Jesus came to save sinners because the heart of His Kingdom is not destruction and damnation, but salvation and reconciliation to God (2 Cor 5:18- 21).

But this is not the kind of Messiah Israel was looking for. This is why, when Jesus was nearing the descent of the Mount of Olives, as His followers celebrated His arrival, the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke them (19:37–39). This is also why, as Jesus came near to Jerusalem, He wept for the city. Israel’s Messiah had come. But, collectively, Israel would soon confirm her corporate rejection of Him in that generation (23:13–25).

As we celebrate the first coming of our Lord, let’s reflect on the significance and purpose of His coming. Jesus, in His first coming, came to seek and save the lost. And before He ascended, He commissioned His followers to do the same by preaching the message of repentance and forgiveness to the nations (24:46–48) and teaching them to love and follow Him (Matt 28:19–20).

This Christmas season, may the great love of our Lord for us move our hearts to receive Him joyfully and to share with our friends, families, and neighbors our eternal hope in Him.