For Sunday, October 30, 2016 – Luke 19:1-10
Crowds follow Jesus these days nearly everywhere he goes. They parade behind him and in front of him, crushing in close or watching from a safe distance. They are curious and want to hear, touch, or maybe just see what happens when others interact with this man people say has come from God. What essence does he emanate? What do they sense in him, want from him? Might he not just as easily be a charlatan, a charmer, as a servant of God? What and who is he, really?
Curiosity flutters across the surface of our lives without making much of an impact, but if we become curious enough, doubtful enough, it can be the beginning of a whole new way of seeing. Zacchaeus, one of Jericho’s chief tax collectors, is a wealthy man who likely does not feel in need of whatever this Jesus might be selling. For all we know, he is physically healthy, able to buy and sell and wield his power and position against others to his own benefit. By his own standards he has life well under control and wants for nothing. Except, what is this crawling unease that pesters him, awakening him in the night? His curiosity deepens and turns to longing, pulling him into the parade as Jesus passes through his town. Maybe getting a bit closer to Jesus, seeing him with his own eyes, Zacchaeus can figure out what this stirring is about, why he cares.
Imagine how it goes. You meet someone who already knows your name, knows where you live, knows what you need. Quickly your senses jump from curious to alert. There you are, above it all, trying to get no closer than necessary, when you hear your name. “Come down,” Jesus says, ” … from your old positions, your earlier perceptions, your abuse of power and the suspicions that have separated you from others. I’m going home with you today.” And just like that, Zacchaeus says come on over! One would think he is well practiced in generous extravagance. He opens his hands and gives—his home, his financial resources, his old greed, his new life.
Maybe we don’t need to know more about Jesus as much as we need to be known by him, to come on down into the river of grace and let it carry us to the far shore. All we need is to get close enough to hear salvation invite itself over, and to be ready to say, “Come!”
