“So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.”
Luke 19:6 NKJV
In the verses just before this, we saw Zacchaeus climb a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus passing through Jericho (Luke 19:4–5). His climb was more than a physical act—it represented a searching heart, one willing to take undignified steps in order to encounter Christ. That blog reflected on how our willingness to posture ourselves humbly before God is often the first step toward transformation.
Now, in verse 6, Zacchaeus descends. Jesus has not only noticed him but called him by name, and the chief tax collector “made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.” The movement from climbing to descending is symbolic: from striving to receive, from self-effort to surrender.
For a man of wealth and power, Zacchaeus’ joy reveals something extraordinary. Though he had status, resources, and influence, none of these satisfied his deeper hunger. The recognition of Jesus as true authority brought him joy unlike anything his possessions could provide. His quickness to welcome Christ stands in contrast to the rich young ruler, who walked away sorrowful when asked to release what he treasured most.
Paul captures this paradox in his words:
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”
1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV
What makes sense to us rarely aligns with the wisdom of God. The world values accumulation, but the kingdom values surrender. The world honors the strong, but God draws near to those who are poor in spirit.
In connecting both moments—the climb and the descent—we see the fuller picture of stewardship and legacy. Climbing reflects our pursuit of what matters most, but descending reflects the readiness to let go when Christ calls us to a better inheritance. Together, they remind us that true legacy is not about how high we climb in life, but how willing we are to joyfully welcome Jesus into the center of it.
Zacchaeus’ story invites us to ask: What posture do we hold toward our wealth, influence, and legacy? Do we cling tightly, as the rich young ruler did, or do we come down joyfully, like Zacchaeus, making room for Christ to transform not only our lives but also what we leave behind? True wealth lies not in possession but in posture. And in posture, we find the freedom to leave a legacy that points beyond ourselves to the One who called us by name
