Luke 19:8-10 8And standing up, Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my goods, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone of anything, I pay back fourfold.” 9And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
The third movement is described in verses 8-10 and gives the outcome of when Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeus expresses his new faith as a confession and commitment. By standing, he acknowledged this faith before everyone who was gathered. There is no time indicator between the crowd’s response in verse 7 and his confession in verse 8, so it is possible that the complainers heard this confession. It is also possible that Zacchaeus’ statement came later at his house because Jesus mentions this house in verse 9. Where or when does not seem to be a matter to Luke, but Zacchaeus’ direct response after the crowd calls him a sinner highlights further his faith in Jesus indicated by his desire to see Jesus by climbing a sycamore tree.
Zacchaeus’ confession also shows active faith willing to make necessary restitution for all his corruption. Jesus did not ask him to sell everything he had and give to the poor, like he asked the rich young ruler earlier. Even half showed Zacchaeus’ sincerity and commitment. He also committed to make things right with anyone he had cheated and even pay back four times as much. All of this financial reparation would have made a huge impact on his lifestyle, but he gives no clue that he was concerned about any of that. He was like Matthew, another tax collector. When Jesus comes by, faith calls for total commitment.
Jesus’ statement confirms Zacchaeus’ faith with the promise of salvation, not just for him but his whole household. Zacchaeus’ repentance and new faith would influence many others to believe in Jesus. The noun form for the same word used for the beggar is given here for salvation (sōtēria). Zacchaeus was healed from his spiritual blindness.
Verse 10 gives Jesus’ mission and a good definition of grace. Jesus came to seek out people like Zacchaeus who are spiritually blinded by the enticements of the world. They are lost in their struggle to find meaning and purpose. They have listened to false promises and given in to the lure of materialism. They have been tricked by humanistic thinking. Jesus takes the initiative to seek out the lost and offers healing (sōsai) to them.
Every one of us is lost and blind. Thinking we are not blind or lost only proves that we are. Sin enslaves and traps us, blinding us to our greatest need. The good news of these stories is that there is hope. Sin has a way of corrupting our perception of the people and the world around us. We see through the eyes of our own woundedness, ego, self-righteousness, and selfishness. When saving grace comes by, it restores our sight. We no longer see the world as we would want it but as God has created it.
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