The Noontimes

Luke 19:1-10: Seek the Spirit

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Zacchaeus the Publican

“Come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house”. 

When we seek the Spirit, we must be open to the invitation, no matter its form. Jesus calls the tax collector, Zacchaeus, down from the tree where he has perched in order to catch a glimpse of the now-famous teacher who heals not only bodies but souls as well.

Jesus is admonished by his fellow Jews.  “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner”. 

Jesus replies, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.

I love this story because it reminds me that each day as I shuffle among the millions of daily petitioners who take their joys and woes to Jesus, I am seen by him – even though I may be perched high in a tree – even though I may feel separated from God in some way.

He was seeking to see who Jesus was.

I love this story because Jesus calls out to Zaccheus and goes to abide with him. And this reminds me that no matter what I may have done and how I may have responded in the past, there is always room in the Spirit to begin again.

And he came down quickly and received him with joy.

I love this story because we see Zaccheus turn on a dime to reform and transform. We see him making amends. This reminds me that there is always a way to begin again – and to do this well – I must begin with myself.

I shall restore and repay it four times over. 

I love this story because it reminds me that we are all sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah, true sharers in the covenant with God – a covenant of abiding and lasting love.

This man too is a descendant of Abraham.

I love this story because I can so easily see myself as Zaccheus, one who is rich in so many things but a bit forgetful about the true reason I have been given that wealth. I am to climb down out of the tree where I have perched to observe and to find refuge. I must answer the call and take Jesus into my home, my heart. I must listen to his Word. I must ponder and respond.      

Today salvation has come to this house.

I love this story because it reminds me that all the while I have thought that I was the one who was seeking God, when God has been seeking me to save, to restore, to grace, to love.

Jesus looked up and said to him . . . “Come down quickly” . . . and he came down quickly . . . and received him with joy.

A Favorite from November 3, 2007.

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_Zacchaeus_in_the_Sycamore_Awaiting_the_Passage_of_Jesus_(Zach%C3%A9e_sur_le_sycomore_attendant_le_passage_de_J%C3%A9sus)_-_James_Tissot.jpg