Today Salvation Has Come to This House

Today Salvation Has Come to This House

As soon as the news of the Savior’s arrival spreads through Jericho, all its inhabitants rush into the streets to meet the extraordinary man who has been performing so many miracles.
A great crowd surrounds Him and follows Him everywhere, while others take their places along the road to see Him as He passes by.
Zacchaeus, a very rich and influential man, is the chief tax collector of Jericho, the most important commercial center in Israel.
He has heard about Jesus and sympathizes with Him, for Jesus does not despise those of his profession, so hated by the people.
He wants to see Him, but he cannot; his small stature prevents him from seeing over the heads of the vast crowd. He tries to make his way through the human wall that lines the road, but without success. Then an idea comes to him. In his eagerness to see the Messiah, he forgets his dignity, disregards human respect, and runs ahead of the procession to climb a sycamore tree, steadying himself on its branches.
The crowd passes by the tree. Zacchaeus is delighted with what he sees. In the midst of the procession walks Jesus — humble yet majestic, gentle yet solemn. When He comes to the place, He raises His tender eyes, fixes them on that small figure, and says:
— Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.
Zacchaeus trembles with emotion upon hearing his name called. The extraordinary Rabbi, whom he so longed to see, will be a guest in his home!
He quickly descends from the tree and, overjoyed by such distinction, leads Him to his house.
The people, filled with Pharisaic pride, are scandalized to see that the Messiah would stay in the house of a publican. But Zacchaeus, feeling the sting of grace enter his heart, responds to it and says to the Savior:
— Lord, I will give half of all I possess to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will repay him fourfold.
Jesus welcomes the good resolutions of the repentant sinner and blesses him with these words:
— Today salvation has come to this house.