The wealthy chief tax collector desired to see Jesus when he came to Jericho, but had to climb a tree to see over the crowd. Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house, even though tax collectors were despised for collaborating with the Romans. But as Wisdom says, God warns offenders and reminds “them of the sins they are committing,” so they may repent. Such happened to Zacchaeus when he encountered Jesus, and he responded by becoming a generous steward. We too are challenged to respond to Jesus when we meet him.
