The entourage that followed him was greatly enlarged as the town folk wrestled for an opportunity to see this miracle worker. You may have noticed that healings do not play a prominent role in the lessons we’ve had the past couple of months. The focus here is on his teaching. Jesus is trying to leave his disciples with a firm foundation, for the time is quickly approaching when they will no longer have him with them. And a lot of his teaching is done by example. Today is one of those days.
During his trip, there have been two things that have been prominent in his teachings – wealth and relationship. The point Jesus has been making about wealth is not that the rich are condemned, but that what you do with what you have is more important than how much you have. He is concerned about having a right attitude toward both your money and your possessions – not holding on with a closed fist, but ready to use it where and when it is needed.
And the point about relationship is that there are things more important than who you are and what position you hold. What he offers to Zacchaeus – in way of example to his disciples – is a no-strings attached relationship. One of the things that Jesus says is that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel – and Zacchaeus is one of those lost sheep. Zacchaeus is a big man if we count his worth in riches, power and position – but he is small in stature, and he is small in the eyes of his fellow Jews.
What is so unusual in this story is that when Zacchaeus could over the crowd, he “ran ahead and climbed a tree” in order to see Jesus. Those are two things that no self-respecting male would do in that society. This tells us how very important it was to Zacchaeus that he be able to see Jesus – to step out of character so far.
It would be wonderful if each one of us could be that desperate to see Jesus as he draws near to our lives. One of the things that I fully believe is that God will draw us to that place or event where we can see Jesus. He will draw us to the place we need to be in order to receive God’s word or his healing.
I remember back in the mid-eighties there was going to be a spiritual formation workshop at Camp Allen. It was during the summer and Fr. Fred encouraged me to go, but I didn’t really feel like I could leave my family for a whole week during the summer to attend.
But each time I passed the poster on the church bulletin board it called out to me. One of the two presenters was a Sister Barbara – a former Roman Catholic nun turned Episcopalian – and every time I saw her name, I felt a deep, deep longing. It was a pulling of the Holy Spirit – to put me in a place where I could receive healing.
I finally couldn’t stand it any longer – I signed up to go. And that week brought, not only a deepening spirituality, but also the beginning of a healing process for me. Another thing that happened that week was a vision (one that I refused to openly acknowledge until 15 years later) - of me, at an altar, celebrating the Eucharist.
I think that Zacchaeus must have had an experience not unlike mine – a deep longing, not even sure why or what it was for – but knowing that this was something he had to do – to see Jesus. It was an urging of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus sees him in the tree – and Jesus knows in an instant that he will be making another stop on his journey. “Zacchaeus, come down – I want to go to your house.”
That provided instant elevation for Zacchaeus – made him someone special – because this Jesus not only knew his name, but wanted to go to his house. Jesus doesn’t use any of the formulas that he has used in the past – “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Go and sell all your possessions,” or “Go and sin no more…” No, he simply says, “I want to stay with you.” - I want to be in relationship with you. I will be your friend, no strings attached.
And Jesus says that same thing to each one of us. He wants to stay with us. He wants to be in relationship with us. No strings attached - even if we do nothing, the relationship is there for our pleasure, for our benefit. We can live into it or not.
Perfect love will eventually bring about perfect response. When Zacchaeus heard his neighbors grumbling – he voluntarily offered to give up half his possessions. It was not something he was coerced into doing. It was not a requirement to relationship. It was a gift freely offered – in response to the pure love of God through Jesus Christ. And with it, not only did Zacchaeus received vindication, but his whole household with him.
We don’t know what kind of healing Zacchaeus might have received from this experience – but we do know his response to it. He did not give away everything he had – he did not sell all his possessions – but he exemplified a right attitude toward all he had amassed. And in response, Jesus declares that he had received salvation and that he, too, was restored as a son of Abraham.
We are all children of God, regardless of who we are or what we believe. Being made in his image, all people can claim that relationship. But many people don’t – God calls, we respond. Zacchaeus didn’t have to come down and take Jesus home, but he answered the call of God. We are all called in the same way – and Jesus wants to come be a guest in our house. He wants to come live, not only in our house, but in our whole life, and he calls, "Come down for I want to stay with you."
It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you have done – Jesus calls out – come down, I must come to your house. No one is so far above his call that they don’t need Jesus. No one is so far below his call that they cannot receive him.
When we answer his call, there is a response that we have to make to Jesus. Just as Zacchaeus turned his life around, we often have to make adjustments in our own lives. Jesus will be our guide. Consider this as you fill out your pledge card, if you haven't already done so. Think about what Jesus would have you do in response to your relationship with him. If he is going to live in you, how do you go about living in him?
Let us pray: Lord, when you send your son, Jesus, to live in our hearts and minds, - guide us, we pray, to understand the response you would have us make to honor that relationship. Make us faithful stewards of time, talent and treasure in all we do or undertake. Amen.
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