Human nature is so fickle. It can turn any which way, it can break bad or it can break good. This is the theological problem of original sin: the downward pull of our nature towards selfishness and evil. But, it need not be that way for there is always hope as we will see in the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10.

Zacchaeus illustrates the change that can happen in a person’s life when Jesus touches the human heart. A notorious sinner who worked as a tax collector for the brutal, Roman rulers of the Jewish people, Zacchaeus was shunned by his own people. When Jesus invited Himself into the home of this outcast, the Jews were in shock. (Luke 19:7). But, the Lord answered their objections, saying that He “has come to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

The little man who feared to approach Jesus in person in Jericho, and climbed up a tree to catch a glimpse of Him as He walked by is a symbol of hope. In Jesus, Zacchaeus found the one who could give hope, not only to himself, but to the rest of us. We don’t have to make a great effort by climbing up a tree to show how much we hope in the Lord. The slightest turning of our hearts will bring Him rushing to our side.

Zacchaeus became a new man. His life was able to break from bad to good. One encounter with Jesus was enough to change his life forever. Jesus did not force him to change. He literally drew Zacchaeus into Himself, creating the desire for change, and the rest flowed in gracious abundance.

The Lord wants everyone to recognize why they do what they do. He doesn’t want us to try to earn our way into Heaven. Salvation, after all, is a gift and is seen in our response to love. What the Lord wants is to rid our hearts of anything that competes with His love. Zacchaeus answered this call. He said he would give half his possessions to the poor, and if he extorted anything from anyone he would repay it four times over (Luke 19:8).

Jesus offers the same hope to all of us by giving us a new commandment to love one another as He has loved us, and He spells out what He means by this in the parable of the last judgement in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 25. He wants us to sow abundance by feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick, and giving shelter to the homeless.

This is what is meant by loving one another. Zacchaeus indeed rose to the task. He could put his past behind him and lead a new life. He abandoned the love of money and embraced the love of others instead.

We are offered the same hope to do likewise.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy