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THE REAL DOGE AND THE CONFESSION OF ZACCHAEUS

      Many have heard about the ‘Prayer of Jabez’.  Books have been written and many sermons preached about this Old Testament item, and it may be found in I Chronicles 4:9-10.  However, when you want to talk about the summary of the grace of God impacting one life in search of forgiveness, you have to go to a man called Zacchaeus, the chief of Tax Collectors in the New Testament.  His story is covered in the first ten verses of the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 19.

      No one liked tax collectors in Israel.  Many of them were fellow Jews that were hired by the Roman authorities to collect the tribute that the Roman government felt they were due.  The Romans tolerated them—providing that they brought in revenue on time and every time.  The Jews viewed these countrymen as traitors to their people because they worked ‘for’ the oppressors—the Roman authorities.

      Starting to sound familiar?

      To make matters worse, Zacchaeus was the boss of the Tax Collectors.  The KJV Bible notes that he was short in stature—which means that people looked down on him twice.  The thing that made Zacchaeus stand out is that he heard that Jesus Christ was coming to his area and he tried to see Him and—perhaps—speak with Him.

      Jesus was from the REAL DOGE—Division of Gospel Examination—and he was in town doing his job in seeking sinners.  Jesus spied Zacchaeus up in a sycomore tree, asked him to come down because the chief Tax Collector’s house was going to serve as ‘party central’ for the Lord that day.  Now, Zacchaeus was used to being in authority.  On THIS particular occasion, he humbled himself before the Lord and set about getting his home ready to receive his fellow government employees—and the King of Kings.

      Of course, the political insiders grumbled and complained.  In their view, how dare Jesus waste his time in the home of a sinner.  Jesus was used to their complaints, but that didn’t stop the Lord from visiting and abiding in the home of Zacchaeus.  In verse eight, Zacchaeus made the following confession: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”  Jesus noted to the gathered crowd in verse nine that “this day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”  In other words, Jesus let the crowd know that regardless of the government position he held, even though his people may have rejected him, Jesus Christ did NOT reject him—but accepted him into the Kingdom of God.

      Folks, regardless of political parties, audits, court fights and press conferences, there are REAL people working in the confines of government.  Those doing the bean counting and those who are checking on the bean counters EACH must someday pass a Gospel Examination by Jesus Christ.  When all is said and done, what will YOU do when Jesus wants to come to YOUR house?  Will your confession be as powerful as Zacchaeus’?

      Rebellion against godly, established authority—meaning your husband, teacher, police officer, judge, boss or The President of the United States is NOT ‘cool’ in the eyes of the Living God.  Check out Romans 13, Ephesians 5, I Timothy 2 and the Book of Titus (KJV), just for a few references as to the biblical standards of leadership AND how we—as godly people—are to respond to them.  That’s right—even if we don’t ‘like’ them and didn’t ‘vote’ for them.

      The Division of Gospel Examination is keeping track of ALL your rebellion, period!

      Further, this is worth all government employees around the world to consider.  Think about this:  IF you are involved in corruption at any level; IF you are taking bribes to line your pockets—and still ‘think’ that you are a good, religious person—there is going to come a time when you are going to have to confess your sins, make restitution, and walk the narrow road of repentance.

      The Gospel will examine all.  Jesus Christ is the Word.  When the Word checks the balance sheets, O government employee or government official, how will YOU fare?  What will be YOUR confession, O government investigator or bean counter.  Tomorrow is promised to no man or woman (Hebrews 9:27 KJV).  Death does not play favorites nor politics.

      Best fess up like Zacchaeus, while the blood is running warm in your veins.

      Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996.  Catch Mike Ramey’s columns on X (Twitter), Substack, Faithwriters.com, LinkedIn and in fine publications like this one!  To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: mgmikeramey@yahoo.com.  ©2025 Barnstorm Communications International.