This Lent we’re using our whole bodies, especially our imagination, as we meditate on Christ’s suffering for us. Our meditation today is based on a story in the Gospel according to Luke, where Jesus announces salvation to a wealthy tax collector. I invite you to relax your body as you hear God speak to you. At times you might like to close your eyes.
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
Recall that Jesus has been on a long journey from Galilee, beginning way back in Luke chapter 9 (verse 51). His journey now nears its end. He’s arrived at Jericho, 20 kms from Jerusalem. Just prior to entering the city he’s healed a blind beggar (Luke 18:35–43).
2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
Zacchaeus is a good Jewish name, literally meaning “pure,” “innocent” or “clean.” But the description attached with this name is confusing. Use your fingers to count the following descriptions. Think back to the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet — ‘a woman in that town who lived a sinful life’ (Luke 7:36–50). Woman = outcast, sinful = outcast. Or think back to the blind beggar — ‘a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging’ (Luke 18:35–43). Blind = outcast, begging = outcast.
Zaccheaus is described as ‘a chief tax collector and was wealthy.’ Tax collector = outcast (Luke 18:9–14), chief/wealthy = ruler (Luke 18:18–23). This description is mixed. Luke’s audience are left to anticipate how Jesus will respond to this mixed character!
3 [Zacchaeus] wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.
Zacchaeus has somehow heard about Jesus, possibly from John the Baptiser (Luke 3:7–13). ‘But because he was short he could not see over the crowd.’ Short could mean short in stature, but could also mean short in the eyes of the people e.g. short in their public standing. Either way, the crowd block him. The crowd prevent him from seeing Jesus.
Imagine being blocked from seeing Jesus. In what ways might others prevent you from seeing him? In what ways might we prevent others from seeing Jesus?
4 So [Zacchaeus] ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
It would have been embarrassing for this ruler to climb a tree! Have you ever done something embarrassing for Jesus?
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
Zaachaeus thinks he’s come to see Jesus, but in fact Jesus has come to see Zaachaeus! This is often the case: we think we seek and find Jesus, when in fact Jesus has first sought and found us. Two things stand out in Jesus’ statement: (1) “I must stay at your house” — Luke uses this phrase “I must” over 100 times, it indicates divine activity, the will of God; (2) “today” — indicates urgency, salvation is coming today, this day, right now.
6 So [Zacchaeus] came down at once and welcomed [Jesus] gladly.
Zaachaeus accepts Jesus’ invitation. And the result? Gladness, joy, happiness. Remember a time when you wrapped your arms around someone with joy. Imagine that Jesus has just arrived at the front door of your house, and you wrap your arms around him in joy and gladness. Hold this moment in your mind’s eye for a moment.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
The crowd think Zacchaeus is ‘a sinner’ — he is labelled an outcast, he is considered outside their community.
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
“Here and now” — Zaachaeus is already acting in a new way, living the life of a disciple. He states what he is already doing here and now. He is including the least of these — the poor. He gives generously, without expecting reciprocation.
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Jesus addresses two topics. First, Zacchaeus. There is urgency again, “today salvation has come.” Everyone thinks Zaachaeus is a sinner, when in fact Jesus sees that he is a ‘son of Abraham.’ Remember John the Baptiser’s words, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:8–9). Zacchaeus is producing fruit, even though to others he appears to be a mixed character. Yet salvation does not come because of the fruit, rather it is evidence of his salvation.
The second topic is Jesus himself. He states again that he has come for the outcasts, to “seek and to save the lost.” Who is worthy to the saved? A rich person who cares for the poor. But also note that the poor themselves are saved — God’s will is for their material needs to be met. The salvation that Jesus offers is bigger than an individualistic notion of getting a ticket to heaven — it also has a social dimension.
How is Jesus bringing his salvation, saving the lost, through you?
