When the Lord Jesus entered the city of Jericho, and was walking through it, Zacchaeus, the chief among the publicans, having heard of this, was exceedingly desirous of seeing Him, but was unable to do so because of the crowd, and because he was little of stature. Therefore he climbed up into a sycamore tree, so that he might be able to see Him. But Jesus, knowing and accepting his faith and desire, said, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for to-day I must abide in thy house.”1 Then he came down, and received Him with great joy and reverence, and prepared a great feast for Him. You have seen the graciousness of the Lord Jesus. He grants Zacchaeus more than he asks. He grants him Himself a favour he had never ventured to ask. Here, then, you have an instance of the virtue of prayer. For desire is a strong cry and a great prayer. Thus the Prophet says, “The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor. Thine ear hath heard the preparation of their heart .”2 And to Moses God said, “Wherefore criest thou to Me ?”3 when he had not opened his lips, but he had spoken with his heart.
Behold our Lord, then, sitting and eating with sinners. He seats Himself in the midst by the side of Zacchaeus, and honours, it may be, some one by putting him at the head ; then He converses familiarly and sociably with them, in order to draw them to Himself. See the disciples also, readily conversing with the same sinners, talking with them, and encouraging them to lead a better life. For they know that this is the will of their Master, and they too desired the salvation of these men.
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