Lk 19:1-10
A tall short man: The narrative about Zacchaeus the tax collector, unique to Luke’s Gospel, reflects the horizontal dimension of a response to Jesus’ offer of salvation, just as the previous account of the healing of the blind beggar (18:35-43) demonstrates the vertical aspect of the human response to conversion.
Before Zacchaeus seeks to see who Jesus is, God has already offered to him the gift of salvation. Zacchaeus’ action of climbing a sycamore tree demonstrates his acceptance of the gift.
The risen Lord comes as a person to a sinner’s house, into a sinner’s life. Zacchaeus accepts the gift of salvation, repents of any injustice, and promises to share his wealth with the poor. Such a response is what it means to be “a descendant of Abraham” (v 9), an heir to the promises of God.
Luke’s point is that God is interested in sinners. Those who are righteous have no need of God. Only sinners need salvation. One who is not lost does not need to be found.
By identifying Zacchaeus as a wealthy man, Luke also makes an important point about riches, which he believes are given to people to be shared with others.
Riches cannot guarantee eternal life, according to Jesus. Only complete dependence on God can do that (cf 18:24-27). It is possible for a rich man, like Zacchaeus, to be saved, if he responds to God’s offer of salvation and shares his wealth with others.