Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

 

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  

 

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

- Luke 19:1–10 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again."  But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.  And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.  So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more,"Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.  And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight.  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. 

 

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  My study Bible comments that, as mentioned in yesterday's reading and commentary, Jericho was notorious as a place of iniquity and is commonly associated with sinful living (see Luke 10:30).  

 

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  My study Bible refers us to a passage we recently read, Luke 18:24-27.  It notes that this encounter between Christ and Zacchaeus in today's reading demonstates that grace can accomplish that which is impossible for human beings.  

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."   My study Bible offers that there are many spiritual interpretations which express the universal significance of this encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus midst this crowd of people.    Theophylact, for example, sees the crowd as symbolizing sins.  He writes, "Crowded in by a multitue of passions and worldly affairs, he is not able to see Jesus."  St. Ambrose sees several parallels.  First, Zacchaeus is short, understood as indicating his being short on faith and virtue.  Second, Zacchaeus has to climb a tree:  this is understood as teaching that no one attached to earthly matters can see Jesus.   Finally, that Christ intended to pass that way reveals that He will approach anyone who is willing to repent and believe. 

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  My study Bible comments that Zacchaeus uses the term give for his free and generous offering to the poor, and the term restore for what he owes the people he had cheated -- and the latter was not a gift, but required by the law (Exodus 22:1).  In doing both, Zacchaeus is not only fulfilling the Law, but he also shows his love of the gospel.  

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  My study Bible claims that the title son of Abraham indicates that Zacchaeus had become like this patriarch of Israel:  he was counted righteous by his faith, he became generous toward the poor, and he was united to the people of God.  Early records say that Zacchaeus went on to become a bishop of the Church.  

Jesus says, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."   Christ is repeating a theme that He brings to the gospel message over and over again:  that He has come to seek and to save that which was lost.   The people complain not just that Zacchaeus is a sinner, but one that is perhaps a bit larger than life, if we could put it that way.  Jewish tax collectors, like Zacchaeus, were despised not simply for collecting taxes.  For one thing, they worked for the hated Roman occupiers, and against their fellow Jews.  For another thing, as part of their collaboration with the Romans, they were backed by the Roman power of the state and military; hence, they were free to use this power to collect extra monies for themselves and extort them from their fellow Jews.  One can just imagine the perspective of the average people regarding this kind of work and practice, and where the often scathing point of view of those in positions of religious authority like the Pharisees comes from.  In Luke chapter 15 we read of one such encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes, in which they observed Him receiving and eating with tax collectors and sinners, and complained about it.  In response Jesus gave three parables about seeking and recovering that which was lost:  the parable of the Lost Sheep, the parable of the Lost Coin, and the parable of the Prodigal or Lost Son.  Each of these gave the perspective of God -- and specifically of Jesus as Son of Man in His mission in the Incarnation -- of seeking and finding that which was lost.  Today in the story of Zacchaeus we have yet another important confirmation of this aspect of Christ's ministry and mission into the world as Jesus the Messiah.  Zacchaeus is a rather extreme example, and for a number of reasons.  First of all, he's not just a regular tax collector.  Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector.  He directs and has others working under him doing this despised work, considered sinful by the community.  Second, Zacchaeus not only holds this high position for the Romans, but he's rich.  Undoubtedly he got that way through his work and the extortion practices enabled by his position.  There's the additional image of Zacchaeus as someone who is short in stature; therefore he's not impressive but diminutive, and climbing up a tree -- even to see Christ -- is a sort of embarrassing thing for a man in his position to do.  But nevertheless, these two details give us an image that is somewhat humbling.  Zacchaeus has an enthusiasm to see Jesus that turns the intimidating image of the "chief tax collector" into a person who's heedless of what kind of figure he's cutting in the world, in front of this crowd.  Such things invite ridicule, and he (wittingly or unwittingly) subjects himself to that in the midst of people who despise him.  But Jesus another plan and another vision in mind that differs from the crowd and popular opinion, and even the history of Zacchaeus.  Jesus sees something that one can only see from a perspective far beyond the crowd, even above that tree Zacchaeus climbs to get a glimpse of Him.  Jesus sees a son of Abraham desiring to be reclaimed.  Jesus reads a part of Zacchaeus nobody else can see, the part that wants to return to the Lord so badly.  Let's observe Jesus taking the initiative and responding to seeing Zacchaeus climb that tree.  He calls Zacchaeus from out of the crowd, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  And with that invitation, Zacchaeus opens wide his soul to Christ, returning to the Lord with a righteous choice:  "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  He re-establishes himself in relation to the Lord, and in so doing, turns in righteousness to restore relations with his neighbors as well.   In these two practices, in accordance with the Law and also in giving to the poor, Zacchaeus embodies the two greatest commandments as given by Jesus:  love of God and love of neighbor (see Luke 10:25-28).  In so doing, Zacchaeus is reconciled to Christ and to his community, and this is a powerful reminder of what the promise of eternal life is all about.  It comes from a repentance that is a restoration at so many levels, wiping out the debt of sin and creating the bonds of community within the kingdom of God.  On His way to Jerusalem, and passing through Jericho as He passed through our world, Jesus offers to Zacchaeus what He will go on to offer all of us from the Cross, a gift of salvation, if we will but take it.  Zacchaeus grabs hold with all his heart, his mind, his two hands, his short legs, and large pocketbook.  But first, the passage tells us, he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  Let us do the same, and be thankful -- even joyful -- for what we're offered. 

  

 

 

 

Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

 

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

 

- Luke 19:1–10 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again."  But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.  And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.  So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.  And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

 

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.   As we remarked in yesterday's reading and commentary, Jericho was associated with sin.  My study Bible comments that it was notorious as a place of iniquity and is commonly associated with sinful living (see Luke 10:30, from the parable of the Good Samaritan).

 

 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  See Luke 18:24-27, in which Jesus commented that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  (The story of the rich young ruler is found in this reading, from Saturday.)  Of course, most noteworthy here is that Zacchaeus is not just a tax collector, all of whom were commonly supposed to extort the people using their status as servants of Rome, but he is a chief tax collector, who has grown rich.  My study Bible comments that this encounter between Christ and Zacchaeus demonstrates that grace can accomplish that which is impossible to man.

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  My study Bible comments that many spiritual interpretations express the universal significance of this encounter.  Theophylact, it says, see the crowd symbolizing sins:  "Crowded in by a multitude of passions, and worldly affairs, [Zacchaeus] is not able to see Jesus."  My study Bible also reports comments from St. Ambrose, who notes several symbolic parallels.  First, that Zacchaeus being short is indicative of his being short on faith and virtue.  Second, Zachaeus must ascend a tree, which shows that one who is attached to earthly matters cannot see Jesus.  Finally, the Lord intending to pass that way is a revelation that Christ will approach anyone willing to repent and believe.  

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  My study Bible asks us to take note that Zacchaeus uses the term give for his free and generous offering to the poor, and restore for what he owes to those he had cheated -- as the latter was not a gift, but rather required by the Law (Exodus 22:1).  By doing both, it notes, Zacchaeus therefore not only fulfills the Law, but also shows his love of the gospel.  

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  My study Bible comments that the title Jesus uses, son of Abraham, is an indication that Zacchaeus had become like this patriarch of Israel:  he was counted righteous by his faith, he became generous toward the poor, and he was united to the people of God.  Early records show that Zacchaeus went on to be a bishop of the Church. 

Jesus says that He has come has come to seek and to save that which was lost.  What does it mean to be lost?  How was Zacchaeus lost?  One way of being lost is to be outside of community.  This indicates to us that we need to consider what it means to be a part of community.  This notion is central to the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments.  In John 14:2, Jesus says, "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you."  It's not easily understood from this English translation of "mansion," but what Jesus is alluding to is the ancient system of tents or tabernacles, belonging to extended family.  When a new member of the family would come in, such as a son marrying, then an extra partition would be made for this new part of the family, this new son and extension, so that all were under one large "tent" but there were rooms made for all under the same patriarch.  This is the intended image here, of an extended tabernacle belong to the Father, and Christ creating family, preparing a place for all those who will live under this one great tent, but with a place for each.  So from this saying, and most definitely from today's reading about Zacchaeus and Christ's interaction, we're to understand that it is God who properly creates families, and that now Zacchaeus is a son of Abraham, and able to dwell within that large tent of the partiarch Abraham, who was justified by faith.  So important is this understanding, that in two Letters of St. Paul, and in the Epistle of St. James, Genesis 15:6 is quoted:  "And he believed in the Lord, and he accounted it to him for righteousness."  (See Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3, 22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23.)   Like Abraham, who "entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2), Zacchaeus is called upon to extend hospitality to Christ, and responds with exuberant joy and gratitude. Zacchaeus, this undignified, unaccepted and despised chief tax collector, has become justified by faith, and a son of Abraham as any other.  He has therefore become part of community, part of family, which only God can really create, and as Jesus here declares.  It teaches us a lesson that God has the last word on what constitutes family and community, and within that understanding, community can be made up of the most seemingly unlikely members.  Let us rejoice at the good news that one so excluded from community can become a "son of Abraham" by faith, for the same good news applies to our Churches and the community we find there.  Within the body of faith, one might be astonished at the possibilities of healing to be found in community, even healing for what is broken within the context of an earthly family.  Psalm 27 is a strong psalm of faith, declaring, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."  Faith and healing come in the context of community, and community is what we find through participation in the life of Christ, and the Kingdom He brings.  Let us remember how to love one another, as He has loved us, that the world may know that we are His (John 13:34-35).  To find such love and community is to be found, for without it we are lost.

 

 

Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

 

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

- Luke 19:1–10 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again."  But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.  And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.  So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.  And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

 

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  In yesterday's reading, about the blind man who received his sight, Jesus was coming near Jericho.  Here, Jesus enters and passes through the city.  My study bible notes for us that Jericho was notorious as a place of iniquity, and is commonly associated with sinful living (in both Old and New Testaments; see 10:30, the beginning of the parable of the Good Samaritan).

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  See also 18:24-27.   My study bible comments that this encounter between Christ and Zacchaeus demonstrates that grace can accomplish that which is impossible for human beings on worldly terms. 

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  My study bible tells us that there are many spiritual interpretations which express the universal significance of this encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus.  Theophylact comments that the crowd symbolizes sins:  "Crowded in by a multitude of passions and worldly affairs, he is not able to see Jesus."  St. Ambrose comments on several parallels he sees in this passage:  first, Zacchaeus as short of stature indicates his being short of faith and virtue; second, that Zacchaeus must ascend a tree shows that no one who is attached to earthly matters can see Jesus; and finally, that Christ intending to pass that way shows that Christ will approach anyone willing to repent and believe. 

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."   Let us note first how Jesus singles out and calls to Zacchaeus, and the joy with which Zacchaeus receives Christ.  My study bible comments that Zacchaeus uses the term give for his free and generous offering to the poor, and restore for what he owes those he had cheated.  The latter was not a gift but required by the Law (Exodus 22:1).  In doing both, Zacchaeus fulfills the Law, and also shows his love of the gospel.  

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  The title son of Abraham gives us a deep hint regarding Zacchaeus' stature:  he becomes similar to the patriarch of Israel, according to my study bible.  The explanation:  he was counted righteous by his faith, he became generous toward the poor, and he was united to the people of God.  In the early records of the Church, Zacchaeus in fact went on to become a bishop.  

How can we count the ways in which this story is so important?  There is first and foremost the understanding of healing that is present here.  Zacchaeus not only restores to others what he has cheated them out of by false accusation, but he himself is restored in good standing to the people of God.  In this Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost -- namely Zacchaeus himself.  Let us consider the images we're given here.  There is first of all Zacchaeus whom we're told is short of stature.  He climbs a sycamore to see Christ.  The old world sycamores of the Near and Middle East are known as trees which grow to a great height, sometimes called the chinar.  But we can see something quite interesting in this very rich chief tax collector climbing himself up the tree to see Jesus:  he is willing to make a fool of himself and appear to be an disreputable spectacle by climbing the tree to see Jesus.  There is a betrayal in this behavior of a deep earnestness which gives way to his joy at being called by Christ so that Christ may stay in his house.  It's as if this man, notoriously a sinner and likely widely scorned for the ways in which he has acquired his wealth, has simply been waiting for a lifetime for this chance at redemption and salvation, and restoration to community.  Zacchaeus is not just a tax collector:  he's a chief tax collector.  He works for the Romans, trades in their money, and self-admittedly has stolen from his own people through false accusation and extortion in his capacity as one who collects for the Romans.  This is not at all an admirable fellow.  Everything contributes to give us an image of someone who was indeed lost as far as the community was concerned, and yet who was also restored as a son of Abraham because of Christ.  In this story, his restoration is not only because he did what was required under the Law, but clearly in his joy through faith in his encounter with Christ.  In Zacchaeus' enthusiasm even as, one presumes, an older man who climbs a tree to see Christ, even risking becoming a comical figure for others by doing so, we can see a heart of joy for One who will be willing to die in order to save even Zacchaeus.  We can see a parallel in the man possessed by a Legion of demons, for whom Christ crosses a stormy Sea of Galilee with the disciples, even to a place of apostate Jews who raise swine for money in the Gentile market (see this reading).  We can also see a parallel in the woman who washed Christ's feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with costly fragrant oil  (in this reading), whose many sins were forgiven, for she loved much.  Zacchaeus fits in with those most deeply in need of healing and restoration, who are willing to sacrifice all for the Person of Christ who seeks them and calls them to be saved instead of lost.   The real question that must strike us, then, most profoundly, is why is it only in Christ that such a compelling salvation is possible for these people, or for us?  This remains for us the question today, just as it is fresh in this story in the Gospel.

Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

- Luke 19:1-10

Yesterday we read that Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again."  But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.  And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.  So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.  And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  In yesterday's reading and commentary, we noted that Jesus was approaching Jericho, which was a place notoriously associated with sin.  The encounter between Zacchaeus and Christ, my study bible says, teaches us that grace can accomplish that which is impossible to man (see this reading).  Zacchaeus is not only rich, but he is a chief tax collector.  The tax collectors, as we've noted in earlier readings, were not only collaborators with the occupying Romans, but also frequently took more from their own people than was due in order to profit privately through methods of extortion, using Roman might.   Consider what it means to those who observe Jesus that Zacchaeus is a chief among them.

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  My study bible says that there are many traditional interpretations of this important encounter, so universal is its significance.  Theophylact views the crowd as symbolizing sins, writing of Zacchaeus:  "Crowded in by a multitude of passions and worldly affairs, he is not able to see Jesus."  St. Ambrose notes several parallels:  First, Zacchaeus being short symbolizes that he's short on faith and virtue.  Next, the fact that Zacchaeus must ascend a tree shows that no one who is attached to earthly matters can see Jesus.  Finally, that the Lord intended to pass that way shows that Christ will approach anyone who is willing to repent and to believe.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."   We note, as remarked upon in the commentary by St. Ambrose (above), Jesus' clear intent, expressed directly to Zacchaeus.  At the same time, there is the response of the crowd, which complained of Jesus choice to be a guest of one who is a sinner, a chief tax collector.  But we also note the joy of Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  My study bible explains that Zacchaeus uses the term give for his free and generous offering to the poor, and restore for what he owes to those whom he's cheated.  The latter is not a gift but was required by the Law (Exodus 22:1).  In doing both, Zacchaeus not only fulfills the Law, but he also willingly shows that he has a love of the gospel.

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." My study bible tells us that the title Jesus gives to Zacchaeus, son of Abraham, indicates that he had become like that patriarch of Israel:  he is counted righteous by his faith, he became generous to the poor, and he is united to the people of God.  Early records indicate that Zacchaeus went on to become a bishop of the Church.

What do we make of the extraordinary transformations we read about in the Gospel?  Here, the transformation of Zacchaeus is possibly among the most surprising and surpassing.  A chief tax collector, as explained above, was a notorious sinner, generally considered among the people to be reprehensible and in extreme disfavor.  But yet, Christ singles out this man Zacchaeus, in order to find him and to restore him as a son of Abraham.  It is a tremendous and personal illustration of the three parables that Jesus told to the Pharisees when they criticized the fact that tax collectors came to hear Him speak:  those of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son (which is found only in Luke's Gospel).  Here, Zacchaeus, this chief tax collector, was lost and is found by Christ, and restored as a son of Abraham -- an illustration of salvation.  We might ask ourselves what qualities this chief tax collector possessed that were used in a wrong direction, and salvaged by Christ for service to the Church.  As chief tax collector, Zacchaeus must have been capable of leadership and management, with a capacity for exercising authority over others.  He would also have been able to work with others who were non-Jews, and come to an understanding of working within and among the Roman system of laws and administration.  His rank most likely gives us to understand that despite crooked dealings, he is a highly intelligent man.  In other words, his wrong direction in life was a poor use of the talents innate to his person, which were gifts of God.  Salvation, then, is a way of not just setting things right with God, but restoring a person to a proper use of gifts.  That is, finding a place which is fitting and right for personal gifts created and bestowed by God.  Zacchaeus' wrong direction was self-chosen and perhaps one apparently available to one of short stature, unimpressive, not a part of the upper or ruling classes to begin with (such as the Pharisees and Sadducees or the priestly class) -- but who was nevertheless highly capable and intelligent.   In our modern age, there are plenty of real life examples of highly intelligent and capable men who made choices to go into a life of organized crime, also practicing extortion and graft, who came from backgrounds which made more legitimate leadership or administrative positions unavailable to them in their own societies.  But Zacchaeus is reclaimed by Christ, becoming a bishop in the Church.  And here is the true restoration:  to be lost and found is to be restored to identity as son of Abraham.  Like the Prodigal Son, Zacchaeus is able to "come home" and find his patrimony, reclaiming true identity.  His acts of both restoration and giving let us know that his heart is sincere in its desire to return to this place of true self through salvation by faith in Christ.  But none of this would have been possible without the intention of Christ in the first place to pass by the place where Zacchaeus had climbed the tree to see Him.  In that we can see a parallel to the Incarnation itself; Christ, Son of God, intentionally "passes by" our world as Son of Man, the human Jesus, making Himself available to all of us for restoration, our own salvation to our proper places.  It is the Creator who makes available the grace that gives us our rightful place and identity as creations of God.  In this is the full story of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.  Zacchaeus is a stand-in for all of us, reaching toward something we don't quite know, seizing what looks like a good opportunity in earthly or worldly terms, and coming up short -- until we find the One who passes by and teaches us restoration, gives us the grace for salvation, and true direction for proper use of our very lives.  This is the choice for a life of faith and communion, an ongoing discipleship that takes everything we are and everything we have, teaching us honest repentance and our rightful place.  Let us remember that Jesus is passing through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem and the Cross.  He asks us all to follow, each in our own way.  Are you ready to join Him on that journey for you?

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham, for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

- Luke 19:1-10

In yesterday's reading, Jesus began to introduce clearly what is going to happen to Him at Jerusalem. But His Apostles could not comprehend or take in any of what He told them. He and the apostles are on their way to Jerusalem. As they approach Jericho, they are met by a crowd, in the midst of which is a blind man - who normally sat by the road, begging. When the blind man finds out what the commotion is about, he begins to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The crowd demands he be quiet, but he persists in his shout, and Jesus tell him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."

My study bible has a note which applies to the whole of today's passage. It reads, "This delightful account occurs only in Luke. Zacchaeus means 'the pure and innocent one.' Being a tax collector, he does not live up to his name, by his own admission. Nevertheless, he comes to have a heart for Christ and becomes a changed man (v. 8). Because he has been richly blessed, he gladly offers to do something voluntarily, which the rich ruler would not. Exactly what happened in the house of Zacchaeus is unknown (v. 9), but the joy rings out in Christ's words: Today salvation has come to this house."

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. Again, we note the proximity to Jericho, where the men of Israel tumbled the walls of the city with a great shout. There's a powerful metaphor to prayer here, not only in the persistence of the shout of the blind man in yesterday's reading, but also today in the story of Zacchaeus. Here the handicap is not blindness, but Zacchaeus' short stature. He may be a chief tax collector, and wealthy, but he's handicapped by being short and unable to see because of the crowd.

So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. Zacchaeus makes the extra effort to see Jesus. What stops us from "seeing Jesus?" We need to be persistent and find whatever assistance we can - often by seeking the elevation and support by reading the word of those who've come before us, and understood. He overcomes his difficulty, his handicap, by making that effort and finding that support in the sycamore - a great spreading tree that can grow for centuries. In the Near East, this type of sycamore also gives figs - a symbol for Israel, and it grows buttressing branches that rise from near the ground.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. Here is the amazing understanding of Christ calling someone out. Many people have experienced conversion in such a sense, of being called as an individual, as if the choice were not really theirs - but only the choice to respond. And this is the gesture of Christ which will be made at the Passion. Zacchaeus receives Him joyfully.

But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham, for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." This son of Abraham is restored to his rightful place through the salvific action of Christ, calling him out. The sycamore teaches us something again with its symbolism: its buttressing branches and its fig teach us about extending teaching through the centuries to those who remain in the faith of "Israel," or the people of God. Jesus uses His messianic title, the Son of Man, to teach us clearly in what role He speaks. My study bible notes the difference between the voluntary giving of Zacchaeus and the sorrow with which the rich ruler heard Jesus' teaching. Zacchaeus does not share that same attachment to his wealth.

Again, I return to the image of the sycamore tree. Here it is an image of support and elevation, but it is also a source of refuge. And I think that this is where we begin with this story. I find that the stories in this section of Luke's Gospel are preparing us (as with the disciples) for the times that are to come, the time after Jesus' Passion - His death and Resurrection. We take refuge not just in the teachings of the Gospels but of the whole of the literature and sources of teaching and meaning available to us: from the whole of the history of Israel or the People of God, to the traditions and sources that have developed through the wide breadth of the Church in its entirety and its growth in the Holy Spirit. Zacchaeus may be short of stature, and considered a sinner, but he is also a saved remnant, a son of Abraham. Through the support we find in the branches of our faith, we too may be called out by Christ, and nurtured to find our true wealth and meaning, our worth, and hence redemption and restoration to community. This is a tree grown for centuries, since ancient times, and full of the wisdom of the ages, preparing us for those to come. How does this saving grace work in your life? Have you felt called by this voice? What support do you seek and need to see what you need to see? Call on it, and be persistent. Most of all, these times are meant for persistence in prayer -- so we are taught in this part of Luke's Gospel. Take full advantage of what is available to help, to support and give refuge, and seek to respond to His call and receive him joyfully, as did Zacchaeus. He calls us all.