Zacchaeus never knew how Jesus looked before the encounter. He has only heard of Jesus and was curious with how Jesus looked so he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus with his own eyes. Prior to his encounter, Zacchaeus might have had numerous images in his mind of how Jesus looked. He might have thought Jesus looked like a typical man, one who had no specific features that would make him stand out from the crowd, or maybe he thought otherwise. But after the encounter, he must have had already a clearer image. He might have thought that his former image of Jesus was right but also realized that Jesus was a man of wisdom and pure goodness to have made him repent and change for the better. Jesus must have shown Zacchaeus that, unlike Zacchaeus’ Jewish brothers and sisters, he is an unconditional brother and friend. One who would not turn his back on Zacchaeus, even on his lowest points in life. Jesus showed Zacchaeus that instead of treating him just as how the other Jewish people did, he would show Zacchaeus compassion and make Zacchaeus an instrument of God’s love. 

 

I think the image of God that was formed in Zaccheaus’ mind during the encounter is a best friend who knows who Zaccheaus really is, someone he needs to fulfill himself. Jesus appear as a real friend for Zaccheaus, and that made him realize that money or wealth is not the most important thing that he could have, but a friend whose real to you and will accept you no matter how sinful you are. Zaccheaus is full of joy because he knows that once he accepted God in his heart and his life will be complete.

 

In my own opinion the time that Jesus looked up on Zaccheaus was the moment that lead him to conversion. Because Zaccheaus was surprised that finally someone looked up on him and that person who looked up on him was not just a simple person but Jesus the Messiah. Jesus knows Zaccheaus very well that he sees somethings that even Zaccheaus don’t see on himself, and that was the moment that Zaccheaus gained the everlasting wealth if his own soul and that made him change his own belief about what is the true meaning of wealth in life. This only shows that once we accept God in our lives, every void in our life will be fulfilled and everything will be complete because of God’s eternal love for us.

We want a lot of things that other people have and you do not. Sometimes we feel so insecure for not having it and not realising that it cant be with us all. Others may say that we can have it all but not all at once. For some reasons like how will we look forward for another day to pass by if if have everything we want today. 

God did not give it all  for us to appreciate more the things we already have that others don’t. For us to be grateful for the blessings we received everyday.

It only shows us that no matter what happened to us or what will we become may it be a better version of ourselves or not, God will be there. 

This scenario also applies to our lives today. Even though how far we run from God. Or How dirty we get in this life. If we choose to seek Him. If we choose to seek the truth, we don't need to exert more effort because it will come and even call us by our name. 
 
 Zaccheus viewed God as someone he looks up to. Someone which he respects. That is why when God made him feel His love, Zaccheus humbled down and gave away all His riches. Jesus gave him the real purpose of life, which is to live according to God's will. That's why when Zaccheus realized that not even money or fame can satisfy one's soul except the love of God. He instantly gave away all His riches.

I guess the message that God wanted to let everyone know out of this encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus (which He planned) is that God wants us to learn to seek Him. And once we learn to seek HIm, He will call us by our name and let Him feel His love for us. Zacchaeus represents all of us who needs God.