Thoughts on the Zacchaeus story
1. Why a sycamore tree? See Amos 7:14. This is the only significant reference to sycamores in the Bible, and what was Amos' main concern in his book? Justice for the poor. Who was Zacchaeus? A tax collector, which class of people routinely exploited the poor.
2. Amos says a shepherd does justice and righteousness (charity) - Amos 5:24. And what does Zacch do? Justice: he restores 4-fold what was stolen - this was required biblical restitution (Exodus 22:1). Second, righteousness: he gives half his wealth to the poor (Luke 19:8).
3. Jesus responds by saying he came to seek and save the lost. This is a reference to Ezekiel 34:11-12. God rebukes the bad shepherds who don't take care of the sheep, and God says He will come and do it Himself. Zacchaeus was a lost sheep. God Himself, Jesus, came to reclaim him, and did it (Luke 19:10). Jesus asserts in this verse that He is God, the good Shepherd.
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