NAMED, BUT UNKNOWN: ZACCHAEUS

I’m curious. What happened to Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus? Why did Dr. Luke record the name of the Chief Tax Collector from Jericho? Did Zacchaeus leave the tax business to become a pillar in the church, well known to all first-century Christ-followers? Was Zacchaeus among the one-hundred-twenty in the upper room? Was he in the congregation when Peter preached at Pentecost? What happened next? What’s the rest of the story?

We don’t know.

He’s not the only “named, but unknown” person in the Gospels. These figures burst onto the pages of the New Testament, then evaporate like the morning dew. The Scriptures give us only a quick snapshot and their biographies are left unwritten.

So, let’s consider twelve “named, but unknown” characters from the Gospels. In each case, they encountered Jesus. In each case, their stories are left to our imaginations. And, in each case, there is a lesson to be learned.

Zacchaeus.

He was small in stature (Luke 19:3), but a giant of powerful influence. Like a ruthless mob boss, the “chief tax collector”(Luke 19:2) directed the work of other tax collectors. Filthy rich, he was hated by hard-working Jewish citizens throughout the district along the southern Jordan River for his brutal, bullying tactics.

Because he was so short, he climbed a roadside tree, hid among the leafy branches, and waited to catch a glimpse of the miracle-working itinerate rabbi. He was curious.

Jesus, the Omniscient Savior, stopped under the tree, looked up at the surprised spy, and announced a dinner party. “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house” (Luke 19:5). “I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5, NKJV). It was a Divine appointment! “I’m comin’ home for supper … and I’m stayin’ for breakfast!”

If there had been a list of the most unlikely religious converts, Zacchaeus would have been at the top of the page. No chance! No way! But Jesus came to Jericho seeking to save the “no chance, no way!”

What happened after Jesus left Jericho? We’ll never know. But this we do know… Zacchaeus was transformed by the seeking Savior (Luke 19:9). No one, not even Zacchaeus, is beyond the reach of God’s great grace!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).