06-04-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
June 4, 2021
Scripture: Luke 19:1-7
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”

Thought for the Day: As I continue to focus on some of the key Jesus stories, at least from my perspective, I share with you one of my favorites. The story of Zacchaeus is so layered with meaning that a preacher could offer a hundred sermons on this text and feel as if there was little overlap. Just now, I am trying to determine which direction to go. There is: 1. The issue of Zacchaeus’ profession (tax collector) which made him a despised individual by most people, especially the poor. 2. The excitement demonstrated in Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus, specifically his willingness to climb the tree. 3. There are those very first words Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus, “…I must stay at your house today.” It was not a request. 4. There is the rather non-anxious response Zacchaeus has to hosting Jesus, even though he probably knows deep down that the way of Jesus will confront everything about his life. 5. And then there is the negativity by those who witnessed the interaction Jesus had with Zacchaeus. Where does a person begin? Maybe there is something for us to ponder when it comes to the many perspectives from which one could read this story. There are days when we are Zacchaeus in the story. There are other times when we are the Jesus character. And still other times, when we are sitting around grumbling at the grace shown to someone we don’t believe is deserving. In this moment, where do you fit in this story? Where do you need to stand in the story to see what Jesus wants you to see

Prayer: Continue to invite me into the stories of life and love, O Lord. Draw me into the depth of the story where my life interacts with the power of your Spirit woven into the narrative. Amen.

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