Scripture Reading: Luke 19: 1 – 10
Scripture Emphasis: Luke 19:9-10 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
There just has to be a greater motivational force behind Zacchaeus’ lowly ascent into the sycamore tree, than his desire to see Jesus and, the littleness of stature that was preventing him from doing so. Luke’s strict economy of words leaves much unsaid about the earlier years of Zacchaeus’ life, which might provide the real reason behind his determination to see Jesus at any cost. Remembering the details of the personal search of many people for God, it may not be forbidden to permit the use of our imaginations to welcome Zacchaeus into a typical family of believers.
Zacchaeus was too cagy an individual to provide freely for any more material for ammunition to be used by his heartless critics.
In religious circles, if thought off at all, Zacchaeus was numbered with the sinners. No father, son relationship existed between him and Abraham, that was an absolute fact. Abraham was the celebrated father of the faithful; Zacchaeus, on the other hand, was dismissed to occupying a place among the redeemable.
On the commercial scene, Zacchaeus was considered a clever tax-collector. Shrewd was commonly attached to the resume his colleagues offer concerning him. When funds were running low, pass matters over to Zacchaeus was the standard solution.
In his neighborhood, Zacchaeus lived pretty much as a loner. But most everyone had an opinion of him, uniformly he was ‘ the old miser, the thief, short in stature but never on money’! Mention the word ‘scoundrel,’ and all eyes looked in the direction of his abode!
So it stood, that neither the religious, the economic, or the social, milieu would bear witness to any suggestion of decency, let alone any opinion of righteousness in Zacchaeus’ soul. There were some with cynical intent, who questioned whether or not Zacchaeus even had a soul!
Danger lurks in the shadows, like some viperous snake, with such widespread abandonment known by Zacchaeus. The soul’s attested visitation may well fall to the threat of disbelief. How can one substantiate the soul’s elevation when all others do not as much believe that a soul exists within that person? Can anyone, owning the forward thrust of the spirit’s working within himself, discredit that happening in another’s soul? One suppliant permits himself to begin life anew by the free Grace of God bestowed, while he denies a fellow suppliant even the dream of that same possibility.
Any human who struggles to regain his footing following a fall provides fodder aplenty for the imagination to fathom the depth of loneliness and, the living hope by which they continue. So I will imagine Zacchaeus as one such person.
Day and night; night and day, inside the tax booth, or walking beside the enchanting sea, Zacchaeus hears what he has come to identify as the persistent trumpet of God sounding in his soul!
It is so again today, above the gentle lapping of the waves on the seashore, Zacchaeus hears the sound of God’s trumpet! “What does God see in me that no one else sees?” Zacchaeus questions.”No matter what they say, I feel a love that will not let me go! But Why?
Then, almost like a mirage in a desert where a man is dying of thirst, something captures Zacchaeus’ attention completely! It is something though unseen, is not altogether unknown to Zacchaeus. He senses a presence with him on the beach. In tones that indicate a familiarity, that this is by no means a first-time experience for him, Zacchaeus continues a conversation started some time previously with Jesus.
“Jesus, ’tis ‘strange! I often wish I could see you with my real eyes! But although my eyes have never seen You, all I have to do is let my thoughts go out to you, and You are there, ‘nearer than breathing, closer than hands or feet’! “Jesus, I keep hearing what I believe is God’s trumpet in my soul! No one close to me, at home, at work, or anywhere else thinks that this is even possible. JESUS DO YOU BELIEVE ME? Show me what you would do if you were me! What would God possibly want with someone whom everyone, including myself now, considers an unworthy sinner?
I imagine that Jesus smiles His compassionate, knowing smile and begins in words that transmit caring, and compassion and understanding sympathy.
” My friend, I, too have heard what you rightly call ‘the trumpet of God.’ I, in a large crowd gathered at the Jordan for baptism, heard God speak to me, calling me His beloved Son. Others there said it thundered, but I knew it was God’s trumpet!
Of course, I believe you, Zacchaeus, and furthermore, I believe God is calling you. He is saying: ‘Zacchaeus, you are My precious child’! You ask me what I would do if I were you? I am not you Zacchaeus; You have many unique gifts and talents that God has given to you alone, to make this world a place where God will be pleased to dwell.
Let Me show you the world which God intended from creation. Jesus begins. “Everywhere there are scenes of perfect contentment. People are happy with each other like they are all at home, and God is their loving father. God is highly honored here, and His people delight to walk with Him in the cool of the evening! Everything living seeks their food from Him, and nothing goes hungry!
Everywhere there is music, and there is dancing as those who have gone astray “rise and come home to the Father.'”
Jesus pauses a moment! Zaccheaus interprets the silence as an expectation of him to speak. Haltingly, he begins,” I guess herein is my condemnation! I have always peeped out at the world from behind a dollar sign! I value people by how much they are worth, and by the possessions they have. There is no ‘family feeling’ here, only suspicion and greed. It’s just the way it is, and everyone does it! Singing and dancing are almost non-existent in the circles I travel!
Jesus spoke not a word of condemnation to Zacchaeus. With the gentle tones of a loving father, He said:” My dear friend, you are missing out on so much! You will be far happier when you reclaim the portion of God’s riches that belongs to you!
Zacchaeus, God’s world is so beautiful, the way He intends it to be! All attempts to describe it break through words and escape! I see men and women young and old together free as that wind that blows where it wishes. It is a freedom which is different from an absence of fear of being robbed, or of being in bondage! The measure of their freedom is the degree they depend upon God for all things. THE SPIRIT OF GOD creates freedom for them, which binds them to God alone! Children play in God’s Garden. They are from all the nations under Heaven! Black skin, brown skin, and white skin playing together, and their laughter is music that gladdens the soul to hear. In my mind’s eye, I see deep pain on Zacchaeus’ face, which he attempts to hide from his friend’s sight. But the look of compassion, on Jesus’ face, is enough to encourage some words from Zacchaeus, ” In my world only a few people are free. Most of them are seriously in debt! Some are forced to work from crack of dawn to nightfall to pay their taxes and feed their hungry families. There is minimal talk here about God and Heaven. Our world is god, and the ownership of worldly things is the measure of all people! Earthly possessions are the anchor they trust -in, in the rough waters of uncertainty! Jesus, everyone does it, it is just the way of the world !”
An awkward silence falls upon Zacchaeus. He falls deeply into a contemplative mood! “Jesus, do you suppose that I have mistaken the trumpet that sounds in my soul as God’s trumpet, is, in fact, the trumpet of this world? Jesus, I confess I I have contributed to this world’s misery. I have riches that are not mine. I enslave people rather than setting them free to discover the freedom of God’s Spirit”!
Jesus places a steadying hand upon Zacchaeus’ trembling shoulder as He softly speaks to Zacchaeus:’ The Son Of Man Came To Seek And To Save What Was Lost.’ Zacchaeus, tomorrow you will see your wish to see Me “face to face” come true! Meet Me tomorrow at the ‘ Big Old Sycamore Tree’ in Jericho, to continue our conversation!”
You Are Invited To Make The Following Prayer Your Own.
O Christ of Tender Mercy, One day you looked into the anxious, troubled eyes of one called Zacchaeus. Those who thought that they knew everything to be known about him, saw only that which would abandon him to the pile of broken, useless pieces. They were suitably rebuked by You when You elevated Zacchaeus to a place of honor and respect! Make us less hasty in our judgment of others, and more committed to following Your example. Let us see others in the way God sees all of His children. If they brashly demand the freedom to travel into some far country, our Father keeps watch upon the road that leads that daughter, or son home again, and restores all the blessings of one dearly loved. Jesus, we cannot pretend that it is otherwise with us, we have been that prodigal who heard The Trumpet Of God, and have been moved by Your searching to respond: ” I will arise and go to our Father. It follows, that often it is the one who has been wounded, and broken, the one who bears the evidence of a sojourn in the pig-pen, who becomes the most compassionate and understanding disciples in Your Service! Here I am Lord, I will go if you lead me. I will bear your people in my heart. Amen.
Hymn: Steal Away To Jesus
EDITORIAL NOTES
The Scripture references are from the NIV translation.
The photo is an earlier post on the web-site: Brigus Folks, Then and Now. This historic tree stood unconfined either by a fence or a wall, in the very center of the town of Brigus. For decades it served as a beloved landmark and as a meeting place when means of telecommunications were not so readily available. In a sense, it shared a similarity with the tree in the story.