Date post: | 07-Mar-2016 |
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You are invited to reflect on a powerful story
found in the Gospel of Luke (Lk 19:1-10). It is
the account of Jesus and his Spirit seeking,
finding, and offering forgiveness and salvation
to Zacchaeus.
Jesus is passing through the town of Jericho,
accompanied by his disciples and a curious,
admiring crowd. Zacchaeus is part of that
crowd, anxious to get a look at the Master.
Jesus does not intend to stay at anyone’s
house in Jericho, but is only passing
through. Zacchaeus doesn’t seem interested
in becoming a follower of Jesus. He just
wants to see this Jesus that everyone is
talking about. Zacchaeus is curious, so he
runs ahead and climbs a tree at the side of
the road where Jesus will pass.
Now he can see Jesus coming up the road. As
the crowd passes by, Jesus, moved by the
Spirit, stops and looks up at Zacchaeus. Their
eyes meet as Jesus gazes at the tax collector
with a look of profound love that penetrates
the sinner’s heart. Then, beyond his wildest
imagination, Zacchaeus hears Jesus call him
by name.
Jesus wants to stay at his house today.
Zacchaeus is beside himself with joy—he, a
despised tax collector, a sinner—is to have
the Master as his guest! Zacchaeus
scrambles down from his perch on the tree.
Critics in the crowd voice their displeasure
at Jesus for choosing to go to the house of a
sinner. But Zacchaeus has already been
transformed by this encounter with Jesus.
Zacchaeus sees Jesus as the Lord
who loves him and extends his
mercy toward him. Zacchaeus
had amassed a great deal of
wealth, sometimes deviously. But
now all that is going to change.
He tells the Lord he will make
restitution, and Jesus praises his
faith and repentance in the
presence of witnesses. Jesus has
found a lost lamb; salvation has
come to Zacchaeus’ house—all
because he wanted to see Jesus,
and Jesus looked up at him.