Just recently our Pastor delivered two sermons based on the story of Zacchaeus. We all probably know the story. But for those who may not - the story is found in the Bible, Luke 19:1-10. As the story goes Zac is this guy that works for the Roman IRS. He, being a Jew is despised by his own people because he is viewed as a traitor. In addition, Zac is this short guy. He could have looked like the perfect image of Pappy O'Daniel (Charles Durning) in the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?" only shorter. Zac who was very wealthy, carried a lot of weight (no pun intended) and could collect all he wanted in taxes, sending what was required to Rome and keeping the rest. Jesus was passing through. Somehow Jesus knew Zac's name (and it really doesn't matter how) stopped and looked up in a tree Zac was using for a front row seat. Jesus invites himself to Zac's house and spends time with him.
Now you've got to understand that the CROWD didn't like this one bit. The people were looking for a Conquering King who would take them out of oppression and deliver them from bondage and rule and reign. In a lot of the minds of the people - that's what they thought Jesus was going to do. So what do you suppose Jesus was doing eating and spending time with a sinner?
Zac could have been eliminated, executed or murdered. That certainly would have gotten rid of Zac. And who knows, maybe no one would have ever found someone responsible. It seems that crimes go on every day in front of people all the time, yet no one saw anything???? And if Zac was gone what would happen? Rome would get a new chief tax collector and the cycle could have gone on and on, forever. But no - Jesus spends time with Zac - one on one relational time. There is no indication of lecture or sermon or anything else. However, what most people don't see in this story is that Jesus had an immediate impact on the econony of Jericho and the region around. Because Zac was a changed man. (Zac speaking, verse 8 "Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." The beauty of an encounter with Jesus can result in a Win/Win. Zac won - the people of Jericho won. Don't always listen to the crowd - often it's all about them and not about kingdom work.
mike
Very true.
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