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Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus
Last Sunday
we were in Luke 18 - The story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
The Pharisee stood up proudly saying - I thank you that I am not like those others.
The tax collector beat his breast.
Turning to God and asking for mercy and help.
We read the words of Jesus:
The New International Version (1984) (The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)
Luke 18:14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
From that story we skipped the rest of the chapter.
Little children brought to Jesus:
The Rich Young Ruler
Then the one that has bothered me since I was young:
The New Revised Standard Version (The Rich Ruler)
Luke 18:22 “There is still one thing lacking.
Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Jesus reminds his disciples again about his coming death and resurrection.
Then he heals a blind man just outside Jericho.
And now - as he enters Jericho he comes across a man called Zacchaeus:
The New Revised Standard Version (Jesus and Zacchaeus)
Luke 19:2-3 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.
Strange thing Jesus does.
Get along with tax collectors and sinners.
He seems to go looking for them.
And he keeps reminding his disciples about them.
Pointing out - in the case of the Pharisee and the TaxCollector that there is value in even the people you despise and judge.
The Tax collecter is seen and heard by God on account of his honest and open prayers.
Because the tax collector prays to God openly and honestly he goes home ‘justified’ - I like the SUnday School saying: Justified - just as if I’d never sinned.
God’s saving grace - is poured out for us - when all we do is present ourselves as we are and ask for help.
Nothing more complicated than a simple turn in God’s direction to say I need your help.
The Pharisee and Tax collector is a story that Jesus tells to prepare his disciples for encounters that they will soon be party to.
1st encounter - children - the disciples ty to chase them away.
But Jesus welcomes them.
Then the rich young man - Jesus challenges him to part with his wealth to gain the Kingdom of God.
This sets us up for Zacchaeus the tax collector...
Lets see what he does.
Zacchaeus is up a tree - wathing for Jesus.
It doesn’t say that he shouts out or anything.
I guess he was just noticeable because he climbed a tree to see Jesus.
Jesus recognizes a longing in Zacchaeus - and meets him along the way.
The New Revised Standard Version (Jesus and Zacchaeus)
Luke 19:5 “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”
Remember the Rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what must I do - and he wasn’t just asking what must I do - he was asking: “What must I do to inherit eternal life...”
He was negotiating a transaction.
How can I get what I want - how can I get the best reward?
How can I get God to listen to me.
He was obviously devout - keeping all the rules, paying all the tithes.
Had it in the bag.
But Jesus recognizes what binds the rich young ruler.
A love of money.
A negotiation.
But what happens with Zacchaeus the tax collector.
Probably not so Holy and devout.
Before Jesus even gets into the details with him:
The New Revised Standard Version (Jesus and Zacchaeus)
Luke 19:8 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.”
1/2 My wealth and 4 X my Fraud.
The tax collecter is shunned for a reason.
Maybe he has been unfair - over collecting - not caring for the people.
Always collecting for bailouts but failing to deliver services.
When he recognises his sin - he volunteers to make restitutiton following the principal of Exodus 22.
The New Revised Standard Version (Laws of Restitution)
Exodus 22 When someone steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, the thief shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
The thief shall make restitution, but if unable to do so, shall be sold for the theft.
Not only does he voluntarily make restitution he realises that he has too much.
He voluntarily lowers himself a bit.
Luke 19:8 “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor;
When Jesus visits the house of Zacchaeus Mary’s Magnificat is fulfilled:
The New Revised Standard Version (Mary’s Song of Praise)
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things,and sent the rich away empty.
When Jesus’ goes to Zacchaeus’ house the Kingdom of God comes to Zacchaeus’ house.
And you play out various scenarios in which you think that Zacchaeus made his response:
1 - Immediate?
Sensing the love and presence of God in his Son jesus - Zacchaeus’ heart is softened and openend to share this love with others?
2 - Negotiated?
Maybe Jesus and Zacchaeus have some words.
As Zacchaeus climbs up the tree in the background looking to see (with curiosity) what is happening.
Maybe he is spying for the Romans.
He already collects tax for them.
Checking in on this threat that is approaching Jerusalem via Jericho.
Jericho at this time is quite a big city - it has a Herodian palace, aquaducts - a horse and chariot racing stadium.
Spying on Jesus and his disciples - Jesus calls him out - instead of avoiding the enemy he walks right up to him… Seeking him out.
Maybe the meeting is at first tense.
And Zacchaeus takes some convincing?
Scripture doesn’t give us all the details.
Room to imagine.
We get some space to imagine ourselves as Zacchaeus...
Eager to find out how to turn our lives around - change the trajectory on which we’re headed.
Maybe we climb that tree / stick our heads out with the idea of disrupting whatever mischief Jesus is up to.
But something happens when we respond to Jesus inviting himself around.
Something so deep that it truly disrupts our attachent to all the material things that corrupt our hearts and lives.
We think of the words of Paul to Timothy:
The New Revised Standard Version (False Teaching and True Riches)
1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
Halloween
Maybe some little witches, hob-goblins - and in the case of my daughter - a small dragon.
Have visited you this weekend and will visit you on Monday night.
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