Zacchaeus - Story

I never saw it as wrong… I knew that someone would profit from all this interaction with the Roman empire, so I thought it might as well be me.  I was good at negotiating, had a few connections, and could make things happen. 

And through it all, I became wealthy… Very wealthy.

When I passed through the streets of Jericho, I could see (and smell) some of the poverty.  I rationalised that God was obviously against them, that their sinfulness or sloth had landed them in their position.  I hardened my heart against them… and refused to acknowledge any part that Roman taxes might have had to play in their stories.

I’d throw lavish parties, inviting the wealthy of Jericho and the other tax collectors from around the region.  They would constantly affirm what an amazing servant of the city I was… and… and I would lap up their praise – convincing myself that it was all true and that they really liked and respected me.

But even then, I knew something was missing. 

Deep down, I knew that the wealthy, and the other tax collectors, only came because of the power and influence I held… I don’t think I had even one genuine friend… no one that really cared.  Despite all my money and power, I always felt on the outside looking in.  The solution?  Hah… well, I drove myself to make even more, as if I could somehow buy my way into being accepted.

I’d heard about this Jesus of Nazareth… about all the miracles he’d done, that he ran rings around the Pharisees and Sadducees, that he’d cast out demons, that he spoke with authority… that he might be the Messiah… that he would set Israel free.

I’d heard all the things said about him, and it all sounded very impressive. However, what truly fascinated me were the accusations made against him by the Pharisees…  They denounced him, saying he spent time with sinners and tax collectors!

This Jesus, this powerful Rabbi, included and welcomed tax collectors!… included and welcomed people like me!

When I heard that he was coming to Jericho, I had to see for myself.

The news of his impending arrival in the city went before him like a wave.  People gathered and lined the streets. By the time I ventured out, the crowd by the road was already several people deep.  I’m not known for my height, and I couldn’t see a thing.

Gasps and shouts went along the crowd as they saw him coming up the road.  And the closer he got, the more the noise level from the crowd increased.

The desire to see him became overwhelming… he was so near… I thought I’d never get another chance and didn’t want to miss out.  I wanted to see him… and, perhaps more importantly for me at that time, I wanted to see this strange group of followers with him.

Until that moment, I don’t think I’d realise just how intense that feeling was… how utterly desperate I was to find out if all I’d heard about this group was true.  

I looked around for an opening in the crowd, but any small gaps disappeared as people pressed forward to see him.

Then, I saw the sycamore tree… just a bit further up the street.

I hurried over to it and, sacrificing any semblance of dignity, gathered up my robes and climbed the tree.  I was only a few feet off the ground, but it was enough that I was head and shoulders above the crowd.

When I close my eyes, I can recall every detail of the view down the street…

From my vantage point, I could see Jesus about 20 feet away.  As he walked up the street, he was deep in conversation with a few men around him.  Occasionally he looked up when someone in the crowd called his name, and he would smile and wave a blessing.

But the crowd that followed Jesus was the real focus of my attention.

This wasn’t the usual group of carbon copy disciples you expect to be following a rabbi; all pious and proper, all eagerly hanging on his every word… This crowd was different.  It was a huge mixed bag of people all talking with each other.  There must have been over a hundred of them, and the dust thrown up as they walked along filled the air behind them.

I was astounded by the diversity of the crowd… there were artisans and farmers…  there were some people from more wealthy backgrounds and some that were clearly poor… and there were women! Women were also following him!

 Then as he drew level with me, he stopped.  He put his hand on the shoulder of the man next to him, asking him to pause in his conversation.  Then he turned… and he looked straight at me!

Other eyes turned to follow his gaze, and they all looked at me. I blushed and wished that the earth would swallow me up. Some of the crowd began to whisper to each other and laugh… and my cheeks burned even more. 

What had I been thinking!  Climbing a tree… I’d be a laughingstock.

I froze… I couldn’t just climb down, as that would add to the embarrassment.  For some reason, I decided to stay where I was and act like it was the most natural thing in the world to be halfway up a tree.  So, I put on what I thought was a stern expression, and stared at the bark of the tree, like it was a farmer trying to avoid paying taxes.

That just caused the crowd to laugh even more.  It can only have lasted a second or two at the most, but It seemed to go on for an eternity as I perched there, staring at this tree, and willing myself to disappear.

And then… Then Jesus spoke my name, ‘Zacchaeus.’

He didn’t shout... he spoke with a clear voice that carried over the crowd. The laughter quickly subsided as people turned to look at him.

“Zacchaeus,” he repeated, “Come down immediately… I must stay at your house today!”

He smiled as he said it, and I was so shocked I nearly fell out of the tree.

I scrambled down the tree, and the crowd parted before me, like the red sea before Moses, opening the way between him and me.

‘Of… of c-c-course master.’ I stammered, ‘Please come this way.’ And I led him and his followers to my house.

I’m not a tall man, but I think I grew at least 6 inches as I walked back to the house, with Jesus and about 50 of his followers coming on behind

When we got back, I set the servants to work… and many of his followers also went to help!  Guests helping!  Guests lending a hand!  Men as well as the women!

As the meal was served, I remember watching in amazement as this incredible mix of people worked together, helping the servants, serving each other, and laughing and chatting with each other as they did. 

And Jesus… Jesus didn’t sit there holding court like I’d seen other Rabbi’s do. He helped too! 

He helped prepare the room, easily chatting with his followers and my servants as he did.

Then my heart took another leap for joy! I saw people that I knew were tax collectors! It was true!  And they were there relaxed and in friendly conversation with others in the group…  They were included!...  They belonged!

There was no sense of order or hierarchy, no stiff formality… It was like a wonderfully chaotic large family gathering.

And they included me! They included me in their conversation, in their banter and in their laughter.  It was so genuine, so natural, so easy.  And for the first time in as long as I can remember, I felt as though I belonged.  Even though it was in my own home, it was the first time I felt I belonged… that I was loved!

I realized how much this had been missing in my life.  It was what I’d always longed for, a true sense of belonging and acceptance… the kingdom of God had come to my house, the love of God was here among these people, and they freely invited me to join… no condemnation… no judgement… just love.

As I looked around, I saw Jesus looking at me and smiling.  He didn’t say anything…he just smiled, and my heart overflowed…

At that moment, it seemed like God spoke to me and said you are my child, and you are loved…

God loved even me!

I was wrapped in his love, and I belonged!  I belonged.

I don’t know if I can ever properly express how that felt.

Compared to that love, all I’d ever achieved seemed so small.  In that moment, I finally understood that there was nothing I could do to earn God’s love; it was freely given. No matter what I did or did not do, I would always be loved and included… I would always belong.

The love I felt was more than I could contain, and I wanted to share it.  I wanted others to know this love that I’d been given. I stood and shouted over the noise of the gathering, ‘I will give ½ of all I have to the poor, and if I’ve cheated anyone… anyone… I’ll pay back 4 times the amount.’

Jesus smiled even more – ‘Today,’ he said, ‘Salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.’

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