ZPCBlog

About the author: Doug and his wife Liz have been attending ZPC for the fifteen years they have lived in Zionsville. Doug is currently on the Jeremiah House Team and previously has helped lead high school international mission trips. Liz is involved with Mission Commission and some other stuff along with Home Groups.

Today’s scripture: Luke 19:1-10 NRSV

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. ² A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³ He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. ⁵ When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. ⁷ All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” ⁸ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” ⁹ Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Much like today, tax collectors are not anyone’s favorite folk as they did not take John the Baptist’s advice in Luke 3:13 “collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, so this dislike may have been even more acute. Zacchaeus did, however, have a desire to see Jesus. Despite his short stature he still humbled himself by running ahead and climbing the sycamore tree. No easy feat and potentially embarrassing for a high-ranking public figure.

All of this is noted by Jesus as he calls Zacchaeus by name, as any shepherd would do for his sheep. Once on the ground Zacchaeus “received him joyfully.” Jesus’ acknowledgement of Zacchaeus, let alone staying at Zacchaeus’s house, as invited (received) is yet another example of Jesus love for even the worst sinner. In return Zacheus gives half of his belongings, generously, to the poor and repents for any sins against his neighbors he may have committed, and Jesus pronounces Zacchaeus's salvation publicly. 

This parable is not only for us, but for the disciples themselves. Jesus repeated parables with different characters in similar scenarios to make his message clear. Make the effort. Answer the call. Offer the invitation. Be gracious.

I believe we all can act similarly. We are not going to be perfect at this, but we should work toward that. There are instances everyday that present themselves for us to be more like Jesus. Use the cashier’s name. Say thank you. Invite that jerk person to merge in front of you. Have a fire pit and invite that new neighbor. Volunteer. We may not be able to offer salvation, but we do know a guy, who knows a guy. All we need to do is provide the hospitality for them to meet. 

Prayer

Dear Lord,
Thank you for knowing our name and calling us. Please continue to provide us the opportunity to be better, be patient, to love. In your name.
Amen

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