Zacchaeus: The Joy of Repentance
Last week, we began our new series: Encounters With Jesus, exploring Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman and a well. Today, we turn to one of the most surprising stories in the Gospels—the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10.
Zacchaeus was a man who seemed unlikely ever to find true joy. He was wealthy, but despised. Powerful, but empty. Curious, but distant. Yet when he climbed that sycamore tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus, everything changed. Jesus stopped, looked up, and called Zacchaeus by name. That simple encounter turned a selfish tax collector into a joyful disciple. The text tells us that Zacchaeus “welcomed Him gladly” (v. 6), and that joy overflowed into radical generosity and a brand-new way of living.
That is the power of encountering Jesus. He sees us where we are, calls us by name, and offers us the gift of new life. Just as Zacchaeus discovered, joy isn’t found in possessions, status, or success—it’s found in Jesus Christ. His presence transforms us from the inside out.
My prayer for this series is that each of us would have a fresh encounter with Jesus. Whether you’re climbing your own “sycamore tree” of searching, or whether you feel unseen and overlooked, know this: Jesus sees you, He knows you, and He desires to bring salvation and joy into your life today.
Let us, like Zacchaeus, receive Him with joy and allow His presence to change us in ways that ripple out to bless others.
With joy in Christ,
Pastor Patrick