That Tax Collector

Luke 19:1-10

The Roman Empire was immense, including parts of Africa, almost all of Europe and parts of Asia. Administering such a vast area was expensive and difficult so the Romans assigned rulers over the different regions, often encompassing several countries. These rulers then subdivided their region. Rome needed money to pay for administration so it demanded each area pay taxes sufficient for administering it, and for maintaining the Empire rulers.

In order to meet Rome’s demands, the kings and governors of the various regions would auction off the right to collect taxes in an area, and use the proceeds of the auction to pay their region’s obligation. The winners of the auction were then free to collect taxes from the district they had bid for, including a profit for themselves. They often auctioned off smaller districts to other individuals who also added a profit of their own. They could then seize people’s property if people refused to pay, with the backing of the Roman army. Tax collectors were free to set their own tax rates, so the system was fraught with corruption.

The feudal system of Medieval Europe was essentially a continuation of the system, with kings giving control of vast areas to those who would agree to support them in exchange for the right to collect from those in the area. Eventually, they would be able to seize almost all the land and make the people serfs. When a king wanted more money he raised the taxes on the rich. They then charged the poor more, until the people rebelled. It was the same old raise the taxes on the rich philosophy that we are hearing today.

Such a system attracted the greedy and corrupt, and the entire system grew to be hated by the people. All publicans or representatives of the government were viewed with distrust, and especially tax collectors, because many, if not most were corrupt. They became rich by taking advantage of their positions.

“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.” (Luke 19:1-4)

Zachaeus was one of the tax collectors who had gotten rich by his activity. While he had considerable official standing, nobody felt any affection for him or wanted to do him unnecessary favors, so they refused to let him through. Being short, he could not see over the crowd, and was forced to climb a tree to see.

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:5-6)

Can you imagine the shock this hated little man must have felt when Jesus, who could have been welcome in almost any house in town, said he wanted to eat with him? Almost nobody would even talk to him and Jesus wants to. He probably almost fell out of the tree in his excitement.

“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” (Luke 19:7)

The other people were not thrilled. Some of them had hoped to have some time with Jesus themselves, and were probably a little insulted that he chose Zacchaeus instead. A really good man surely wouldn’t associate with the likes of Zacchaeus.

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” (Luke 19:8)

Zacchaeus had gotten rich by taking advantage of everyone around. Now he commits to paying everyone back and giving half of what he had to the poor. What a difference. II Corinthians 5:17 declares, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The person who has truly received the Lord will not live the same old life they used to, because they have the Holy Spirit in them, and he changes them. They can’t live that lifestyle any more. I John 3:9-10 states, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest…”

“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.“ (Luke 19:9)

Jesus said he’d been saved on the basis of the change. Galatians 5:15 says that what matters is the change. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Not everyone who had been born into Abraham’s famly was truly of God, as Paul states in Romans 9:6-7. “…For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: …” By faith Zacchaeus became one of Abraham’s children in spirit as well as by birth.

A huge Snow storm in 1967 dumped four feet of snow on the reservation and then kept snowing every day for two weeks. The national guard helicopters were called out and a system of signs to be stamped in the snow was broadcast so people could get assistance who needed it. Kids playing in the snow made patterns the Guard didn’t recognize and were forced to land to see what was wrong. No one knows how much time was wasted because kids wanted to see what would happen.

A man was spotted high in the mountains, struggling through the snow, so a helicopter landed to see if he needed help. He didn’t speak English so they flew him to Window Rock to find out what he needed. Imagine their chagrin when they had to take him back. He had just been out getting some firewood and didn’t need rescuing.

Like the National Guard, Jesus came to help those who had real needs. Those who don’t think they need help resent the interference in their lives, and some waste our time and God’s for their own amusement, with no real interest. Zacchaeus recognized his need, although most people didn’t realize he had it. It was for the lost sheep that strayed from the rest that Jesus came.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)