Zacchaeus, the Publican

At the time Jesus wandered the planet, there was a man who was despised by other Jews for being a chief publican.

A publican is a tax collector. Tax is a contribution of money the government collects from citizens to meet the public expenditure, that is, to build roads, schools, bridges, and everything else that is for use by all citizens and that residents need.

As Rome had conquered Judea and ruled over all, then the chief publican, whose name was Zacchaeus, would receive the tax from the people and send it over to the Romans, after paying his staff and taking a share for himself.

Zacchaeus was very rich, lived in a nice house and had many possessions, still he was a good man. He took good care of his family, helped the poor and treated everyone equally.

Privately, however, Zacchaeus felt the need to improve further. He longed for something different than what he learned with Judaism, the religion of his people. His heart "knew" that there were higher ideas and he dreamed of learning them.

This prophet was called Jesus. Upon hearing the news that ran from mouth to mouth among the people, saying that Jesus would go through Jericho, his town, Zacchaeus was happy!

He dressed up as suited to speak to such an important prophet and went on his way to meet him.

Arriving near the place where Jesus would have to pass, Zacchaeus found a crowd already waiting for the prophet, and got desperate. Being very short, Zacchaeus could not see anything! - I can not miss this opportunity! How am I going to see Jesus? - he thought. Suddenly he saw a tree and decided: - I know! I will climb that tree, and then from the top I will be able to see the Prophet!

And as he thought, so he did. Up in the sycamore (1), which, though not a very tall tree,  was tall enough so that he could, from above, see everything going on around him.

Suddenly, Zacchaeus saw, due to the great crowds moving, that the prophet was approaching. Passing close to Zacchaeus, the prophet stopped, looked up and seeing Zacchaeus in the tree, said to him:

- The prophet is staying at the house of a man of evil life, unworthy to receive him!

Hearing this, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said: - Lord! I give half my possessions to the poor, and if anyone has anything to complain about me, be it what may, I will give them fourfold. Hearing that, Jesus, who knew what was in his heart, said: - This house today received salvation, because this is also a son of the Father, since I came to seek and save what was lost. And people were forced to lower their heads

and remain silent before Jesus' words.

Basically, they all considered themselves better than that publican, because they were poor and Zacchaeus was rich.

Faced with the words of Jesus, however, they intimately realized that, actually, the feeling that moved them was envy of Zacchaeus's position. They also understood that, because all are children of God, all would also have the opportunity of salvation, that is, they can become better people and more worthy of the love of the Father.

It is just that in the kingdom of heaven what really counts is the real wealth, which is the heart.

From that day on, Zacchaeus became a devoted follower of his Master Jesus, learning his lessons, who he never turned away to this day, following his examples and loving all his brothers, especially the most needy.
 

                                                                  MEIMEI


(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 09.04.2012.)


(1) Sycamore is an African-Mediterranean fig tree, with edible figs and quality wood.

(2) The illustrations in this story were taken from Vera Stefanello's website, whom we thank.