Above + Beyond 2025

In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus passed through Jericho on His final trip to Jerusalem, where He would give His life as a sacrifice for us. Luke introduces us to a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector. This meant he worked for the government, and he was wealthy—two things that would have made him both well-known and widely disliked. As a Jew working for the Romans, he collected money from his own people on Rome’s behalf and grew rich by adding his own surcharge. In other words, he profited from the hardship of his fellow Jews. They couldn’t stop him, but they could—and did—make him a social outcast.

Luke 19:3 tells us that Zacchaeus was interested in Jesus. At this point, Jesus was known for performing miracles through the power of God and for preaching about God’s love. He taught that God searches for sinners to forgive and restore them. Zacchaeus was searching for Jesus, and you don’t search when you’re satisfied. Here’s a man with status, a high-powered job, and plenty of money—but it’s not enough. This same verse also tells us his challenge: he was short and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

This shows a humility in Zacchaeus. He doesn’t demand a private meeting; instead, he risks mockery by acting like a child and climbing a tree. All he wants is to see Jesus. Could the forgiveness Jesus talks about really be for him? Is hope possible for someone like him? In that moment, Jesus approaches, calls Zacchaeus by name, and tells him that He is coming to his house. Why? Because He came to seek and save the lost. Zacchaeus wasn’t too far gone—that’s exactly who Jesus came for.

Zacchaeus responds immediately. He comes down from the tree and receives Jesus with joy. Jesus knew exactly who Zacchaeus was and that his home was one no one visited, yet in His grace, He chose to go there. Grace always leaves an impact.

While Zacchaeus is joyful, the crowd is grumbling. In that culture, you ate with people you valued and identified with, so to share a meal with someone was to associate with them. The people assumed Zacchaeus wasn’t worthy of a meal with Jesus—and by implication, that others were. But no one is worthy. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The only way to sit at Jesus’ table is to admit our need and receive His kindness. This is why Zacchaeus is the perfect example: his humility and vulnerability made him open to grace. Jesus knew that love comes before life change.

At the time, Jews were expected to give 10%. A generous person might give 20%. Zacchaeus gives away half of his possessions and promises to repay anyone he has wronged four times the amount. The law required repayment plus an additional 20%—but Zacchaeus goes far beyond that. His response is extravagant.

Jesus declares, “Salvation has come to this house.” This isn’t because Zacchaeus bought his way into God’s favor. Generosity didn’t earn his salvation; it was the evidence of it. Generosity is the effect of salvation, not the cause.

How can Jesus say, “Salvation has come”? The answer is in verse 10: the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Salvation is in the house because Jesus is in the house. Jesus seeks. Jesus saves. We respond. He didn’t give part of Himself for us—He poured out His whole life. He left Heaven, took on flesh, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. One hundred percent of His life was given so that we could have life. Radical grace produces radical generosity.

For some, this message is a personal call—God is calling you by name.

For others who already know Jesus, this is a reminder of why we give our time, our resources, and ourselves. We aren’t trying to earn God’s favor. We give because we want others to meet Jesus and have their lives changed as radically as ours have been.