Zacchaeus, Jericho, and the Tree

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Luke 19:1-10; Luke 19:28-48; Mark 11:1-25; Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:12-19

For anyone who grew up in Sunday school, today’s reading should remind you of the classic song, “Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see…” Well, today we’re taking a closer look at Zacchaeus and how his story relates to Joshua, Jericho and Rahab!

As we’ve seen throughout this year in our journey through the Bible, all scripture points to Jesus. The Old Testament points to Him and the New Testament reveals Him. It’s been said, for every Old Testament picture, there is a New Testament principal. Today’s story of Zacchaeus is no exception!

I find it fascinating that the story of Zacchaeus took place in Jericho. Through the book of Joshua, we saw how Joshua was a picture of Jesus. Well, here in Luke chapter 19 we’re back in Jericho. It was here where Joshua conquered the great walled city and Jesus will conquer the great walled heart!

As we compare these two stories, we will see how Jesus is the great conqueror. Jesus fulfilled what Joshua was a picture of and Zaccchaeus experienced the salvation that Rabah demonstrated with the scarlet cord hung out her window. Jesus not only defeats our foes, but paid the ultimate price to redeem our souls.

Joshua and Jesus in Jericho

General Joshua, in obedience and faith, marched into Jericho to conquer the sinful Canaanites and lead God’s people into the promise land.
Jesus, the King of kings, in obedience walked into Jericho on his way to the cross, not as a political conquer, but to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:9-10).
Joshua was sent to conquer Jericho - a type of our old man, the flesh.
Jesus came to conquer the hearts of men, that we through His Holy Spirit could live victorious over our flesh.

Rahab in Jericho

Rahab, the harlot, was saved in Jericho. In faith she obeyed the instructions of the messengers (the spies) and let down the scarlet cord from her window (Josh 2:18). The scarlet cord being of course a type of the blood around the door and ultimately of Jesus’ precious blood as the spotless Lamb of God (1 Pt 1:19).

Zacchaeus in Jericho

Zacchaeus was the chief among the publicans (Lk 19:2), a sinner (Lk 19:7), a self proclaimed thief (Lk 19: 8). Yet, in obedience when Jesus said “make haste, and come down” Zacchaeus responded in faith and let himself down to meet Salvation.
Jesus called Zaccaeus to come down from the tree. Jesus knew He was soon to be lifted up onto the tree to pay not only for Zacchaeus’ sins, but for the sins of the whole world.

Not only was Jesus the perfect fulfillment of the pictures lived out by Joshua and Rahab, in today’s reading we also see the fulfillment of Ps 118:25, 26 and Zech. 9:9 as Jesus rides into Jerusalem seated on a donkey (Jn 12:12-19); and Isa 56:7 and Jer 7:11 as He overturned the table in the temple (Mk 11:12-25).

Dig into God’s Word today and see Jesus – the fulfillment of all the Scriptures, the promised Redeemer.