The answer is: Jericho

Luke 19:1-2

Isn't it interesting that Jesus met Zacchaeus in Jericho, a city steeped in history? Jericho is famously known as one of the oldest inhabited cities on earth and has been around since the Stone Age. When Jesus arrived in town, it was buzzing with people—and no wonder! He was a sought-after figure in society, drawing crowds wherever he went.

Now imagine Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, climbing a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of this charismatic teacher. His act may seem childish but, much to consider: this was a man held in contempt for his role in collecting taxes for the Roman occupiers. His curiosity and humility in climbing that tree reveal a yearning within him for redemption and acceptance. It's a beautiful reminder of how even those society marginalizes can take steps toward transformation.

Here’s a fun echo from the Hebrew Scriptures: Jericho is often mentioned in the story of Joshua, right before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. Just as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, showing God's power, Zacchaeus found that those walls he had built around his heart were about to crumble when he met Jesus. This passage serves as a powerful message about inclusion and the capacity for change. So, who would have guessed that both walls and personal barriers could fall in the presence of compassion? Now that's profound!