Publican

William Hole. From book: The Life of Jesus of Nazareth, 1908

This wasn’t just tax collecting for Rome.  On a page sponsored by the University of Chicago, we find an article by William Smith from 1875. defining “Publicani” as “farmers of the public revenues of the Roman state.”  The farming consisted of bidding for the rights to collect taxes. They were contractors.  The system was ripe for abuse, as the article states:  “they abused their power at an early period, in the provinces as well as at Rome itself.”

It is easy to see how such a businessman could become rich.  Especially one who was chief among the publicans.  it is also easy to see how people thought of him:

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (Luke 19:7 KJV)

Interestingly, Christ made no demands upon Zacchaeus to rid himself of his fortune, as He had mentioned to the young man who had kept the law from his youth:

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. (Luke 18:22-23 KJV)

In fact, Christ’s only command to Zacchaeus was:

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. (Luke 19:5 KJV)

Which one are we?  The man who had done right all of his life but could not give up his most valued possession to follow God?  Or, the sinner who understood his unworthiness and vowed to change his life before being asked?

One sought Christ believing himself sinless, yet wanting more.  The other sought Christ knowing his sins and offering restitution without asking Christ for anything.

For both of them, and for all of us, Christ came.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)