Jericho enjoyed a pleasant climate in winter. Its freshwater springs made it a large, flourishing oasis town. The main trade routes ran through Jericho. Hundreds of pilgrims and traders passed through every day. The customs post at Jericho was a veritable goldmine. Anyone who could afford it lived in Jericho.

This was precisely where Zacchaeus lived and worked. As the head tax collector of Jericho, he must have been a millionaire by today’s standards. And this short millionaire wanted to see Jesus! Nothing could stop him: he, the wealthy tax collector, climbed a tree like a child and waited!

And sure enough, Jesus saw Zacchaeus and invited himself to his house. It was important to Jesus to be with him. Why? Because Jesus came to seek out the lost and to save them.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke19,10

Jesus does not force himself on anyone. But if you open yourself up to him, change will come into your life.

Bible passage on this topic: Luke 19,1-10