Prop. 26C - Lk 19:1-10 - Thoughts and Meditation

Zacchaeus was a man 'ready for picking'. He RAN to a vantage point. He exposed himself to the world by CLIMBING a big tree. He was seeking Jesus. The crowd wouldn't give him the access to Jesus he needed. So he bargained that Jesus would come by a certain spot, and that he would stand a chance.

Jesus could very well, have walked on by. Jesus could very well have not seen Zacchaeus in that tree. Except for one crucial fact. Jesus was SEEKING. Jesus purpose was to come and seek out those who would be saved. Jesus purposefully approached that tree, KNOWING who Zacchaeus was, KNOWING his heart, and KNOWING that this was Zacchaeus day to get 'picked'. Jesus approached, and offered relationship, but not just any kind of relationship. This was one where He was the one offering to stay at Zacchaeus home, He was the master returning to his servant. Zacchaeus acknowledges this relationship, by calling Jesus - Lord! Very significant.

The crowd didn't buy it. Zacchaeus was a sinner, the chief of tax collectors in that area. No-one was going to believe that this man was coming clean. No-one. Yet Zacchaeus offers up half of his possessions to the poor, and reimbursement fourfold to anyone he had cheated. The crowd's reaction is not recorded, but disbelief would probably have been plentiful. This passage should really be called "the miracle of the tax collector". Jesus had just finished telling His disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God 18:24-25. Here it happened! According to Jesus, this was an outright miracle!

Salvation is not about getting close to God. The rich ruler spoke face-to-face with Him. It didn't do him any good. The pharisee in the temple had total access, it didn't do him any good either. No, salvation comes about but giving up on oneself. Zacchaeus did, when he gave up his identity as 'chief tax collector, rich guy'. Zacchaeus was never again the same person he was when he woke up that morning when Jesus came to Jerusalem.

Miracles do happen. They can happen to you and I. Question is, will the miracle be a mere simple physical healing from an ailment that is annoying? Or will it be the miracle of New Life? May it be the later...

the king (?) of the Hill... who is servant of the Master

1. Structural Diagram
2. Surrounding Context
3. Key Cross References
4. Key Questions
5. Thoughts and Meditation

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