As Jesus draws closer to Jerusalem, the drama of his encounters with others seems to grow more poignant and surprising. In the chapter immediately preceding today's gospel text, Jesus heals a blind beggar and declares the man not only healed but "saved." Before this, we read about the tragic tale of the rich ruler, who at first seeks out Jesus, but then sadly turns away when he learns the cost of salvation. As Jesus now enters Jericho, a community only about 17 miles from Jerusalem, he encounters another memorable figure, Zacchaeus.

The narrative genius of Luke makes the Zacchaeus story an all-time favorite. It is rich in juicy details that intrigue the reader, inspire the songwriter and keep everyone glued to the story. An unusual detail we are given is Zacchaeus' name. Proper names are n…