Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
We’re on day six of exploring the story of Zacchaeus together, and today I want to focus on something interesting Jesus says at the end of the story:
“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.” – Luke 19:9 NIV
It seems somewhat unrelated that Jesus suddenly brings Abraham into the conversation.
Zacchaeus, being a Hebrew man, would’ve already been considered a descendant of Abraham. Why would the events of that day – Zacchaeus’ repentance – have anything to do with his ancestry?
But Jesus’ disciples probably knew exactly what Jesus was referring to. They remembered the conversation He had with the religious Jewish leaders, as recorded in John 8.
Jesus tells those leaders:
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32 NIV
To which they reply:
“We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” – John 8:33
Jesus goes on to explain that even though they’re Abraham’s descendants, they’re still slaves to sin, and slaves are not free. Sons are. They need Jesus to set them free in order to enter into sonship (John 8:34-36).
When Jesus says that Zacchaeus is now a son of Abraham, it means that his faith in Jesus has set him free from his sins.
And the same applies to you:
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. – Galatians 4:7 NIV
