There once was a time when people who collected taxes were hated. Hard to believe, I know. Zacchaeus was a tax collector in Jericho at a time when Rome ruled the area of Israel. Jewish tax collectors were further despised because they were seen as “traitors” working for the Roman Empire and, most of the time, they were also corrupt.
Luke, a physician by occupation, tells the story of when Jesus came to Jericho. A crowd had gathered to see him because of his messages and his miracles. Zacchaeus was a short fellow and to get a better view, he climbed a sycamore tree. When Jesus came near, he told Zacchaeus he wanted to go to his house. People were shocked that a man of high morals would go to such a horrible person’s house. After the visit, however, things were different. Zacchaeus offered to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay four times what he had cheated people.