Zaccheus

Zaccheus was the chief tax collector for the Romans. Which means he was hated, and despised, by the Jews. He was a traitor, and a collaborator, with the oppressive Roman conquerors.

Apparently, he was spiritually curious also. He heard Jesus was traveling through his town. He wanted to see, and hear, Jesus. So, he went to where Jesus was. But, because he was really short, he could not see anything. So, he climbed a tree. Really, maintaining a dignified posture in front of everyone.

Jesus, of course, maintained his popularity ... he invited himself to Zaccheus' house for dinner. The process of giving, and accepting, hospitality was demonstration of acceptance, understanding, and approval. In other words, Jesus was saying that the traitor, Bacchus, was an OK guy. God saw him, and approved of him. Which was not what the ordinary Jew, or Jewish leaders, would think. They would condemn, scorn, and ignore Zaccheus. Certainly not have a meal with him.

At that meal, Zaccheus listened to Jesus, and his disciples, talk, and saw them interact with each other, him, and his staff. And Bacchus, a very rich man, announced that he was going to repay those he cheated -- four times what he took -- and then half of what was left to the poor.

Pretend MicroSoft overcharged $50 on each of its products. Then, imagine Bill Gates giving $200 for each product -- Windows, Word, Excel -- to those who have these products. Then, taking half of the rest of his money, and giving it to Compassion. Or some other charity.

When someone hears the gospel, and it clicks, there is an upheaval in the person's heart. A revolutionary change takes place in the heart. And as all behavior comes from the heart, there are revolutionary changes in behavior. Behavior demonstrates changes in the heart. The Bible calls these changes fruit. When someone gives allegiance to Jesus, there is fruit. And not just any fruit. The Bible lists the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit as the result of the Spirit living, and acting through, a person.

We see this fruit in Bacchus. And Jesus says that salvation came to Zaccheus' house, confirming the reality of the Spirit in Zaccheus' life. And Jesus confirms that such change was his mission from the Father.