In Luke 19, the Bible devoted 10 verses to describe a man called Zacchaeus. Even though he was a sinner, he quickly received Jesus, and was received by Him. There is so much we can learn from this man.
10 Things We Know About Zaccheaeus
His Background
He was rich
He was the chief among the publicans
He was little of stature
He was a sinner
He is a son of Abraham
His Personality
6. He seeks God
7. He overcomes obstacles
8. He was quick in actions
9. He was quick to make corrections
10. He was generous with his possessions
Goal Oriented
Jesus said, "Seek and you shall find" (Matthew 7:7), and we find this so true in Zacchaeus. Even though he was successful and rich, he was not satisfied, and was still seeking for true blessings from God. That explains why he "sought for Jesus", "received him joyfully", and repented immediately after receiving Him.
Overcome Obstacles
Another important thing we can learn from Zacchaeus was how he overcomes obstacles. Once he sets his target, he will not let anything stop him.
Because of his small stature, he could not see Jesus among the crowd when He passed by. However, unlike most people who would just give up or be contented with merely following others, he instead ran quickly before the crowd and climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus. We later learnt that he was considered a sinner by the Jews and not worthy to receive Jesus, but he did not let that stop him either! Instead, he quickly declared his repentance and received Jesus into his house.
Take Actions !
It is obvious that Zacchaeus is a man of actions. Not only did he ran before the crowd and climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, received Him into his home immediately at His command, but he also took actions immediately after Jesus spoke to him. He declared right away that he will give half of his goods to the poor, and restore fourfold if he has taken anything from any man by false accusation. How many people nowadays can take actions immediately after hearing the Gospel?
Be Willing to Pay the Price
Zacchaeus is also willing to pay the price for what he desires. In order to see Jesus, he made an effort to run and climb up a sycamore tree. In order to receive God's Kingdom, he was willing to give half of his possessions to the poor. In order to make up with the people he wrongly accused, he was willing to repay fourfold. This is not easy, as Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)
Compare this to the young man who "went away from Jesus sorrowful because he had great possessions" (Matthew 19:24), Zacchaeus was clearly more ready to enter into the Kingdom of God!
Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at your house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:1-10