My Thoughts of Zacchaeus and Calvinism

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In the tradition of reading one chapter of Luke a day until December 24th - yesterday would have hit the 19th chapter of Luke. The very chapter opens with the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. Tax collectors were not well-liked because they had franchises with Rome. Matthew was an apostle called away from the dishonest job of a publican and was called by Jesus. Now, another man who would most accurately display the effectual calling of God is Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a man who wanted to see Jesus so badly. Zacchaeus probably had a huge burden, desiring to be freed of sin but found himself unable to.

What would be very interesting to read is Luke 19:5 where Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down, for today I must abide at thy house." I see the divine plan and effectual calling of a dirty tax collector here. It's interesting that Zacchaeus' encounter is recorded by Luke instead of Matthew who was a former publican for the Romans. I believe that Zacchaeus couldn't resist the calling of the Lord Jesus which caused him to climb down the tree and receive Jesus into his house. You can see the Lord Himself was a guest in the house of a sinner.

The story of Zacchaeus doesn't just prove salvation by grace but also salvation results in a changed life. The theologian John Calvin in his famous debate with Jacopo Sadoleto defended the fact that although salvation is by faith it's not a faith that will be without works. You can see that the results of accepting Jesus into your heart are very life-changing. Many claim to have asked Jesus into their hearts but had never changed. Not for Zacchaeus. Revelation 3:5 reveals that Jesus is asked into the life of the person and fellowship happens. Jesus dined with sinners but only with repentant sinners. The result of Zacchaeus receiving Jesus into his house (and his heart) was when he, out of gratefulness, decided to give to the poor and restore those he cheated fourfold as the Jewish law required.

The people couldn't understand what was going on. Nobody can easily understand Jesus' effectual calling. All Jesus had to do was to tell Zacchaeus that He must abide in the latter's house. Zacchaeus quickly responded to the effectual calling of Jesus. This would be the doctrine of irresistible grace that the elect can't help but be willing when they're called for salvation. Zacchaeus sought Jesus. However, it was Jesus that chose Zacchaeus and not the other way around. Jesus could've eaten in anybody's house but He chose the house of Zacchaeus. I'd dare believe that Zacchaeus' conversion was a result of effectual calling and not his own free will. 

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