God has not finished with us
The name Zachaeus means different things to different people. For those who are interested in the looks of persons, it embodies shortness, while for the religious-minded, it means a public sinner. It could be for another, a notorious criminal.
But for Jesus, what does the name mean?
Reading through the gospel presentation of the person of Zachaeus, we came to understand that Zachaeus was a very rich man who amassed wealth from collecting more than what was required by law (by extortion). He was hated by his people for this, and for working for the Roman colonialists who occupied their land. To say the least, everyone hated his profession and would studiously avoid him. Thus, he was both religious and a social outcast.
You can now understand the offence of Jesus when he sat down in Zachaeus’ house to eat and drink. The Pharisees and the scribes lashed out at Jesus for dining with a man like Zachaeus. “Zacheus of all people. Why would you associate with this evil man?”, they quarreled with Jesus. “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”
But Jesus would always look beyond what is public to see the person of Zachaeus. He knows that Zachaeus is a “pure and innocent” (after all, that is the meaning of the name) man created in the image and likeness of God; one who has lost his purity and innocence of life.
Jesus would later contend that he had not come to call the righteous but sinners, but sinners; that he came that all may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10).
Dear brothers and sisters, let us suspend judgment first. God has not finished with men and women. Let us, as a Church, make an effort to look for our backslidden Christ instead of denouncing them. God loves everyone: sinners and saints.
