Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus was a wee little man…
These last few months post VBS I have taken the opportunity to teach my daughter the fun Sunday school songs I learned in my day, and of course we could not pass up “Zacchaeus.” She refers to all my Sunday school songs as silly songs and requests this one the most. If you think about it, it is actually quite a silly song emphasizing little of the true purpose of the text. Yet we all know that name and his name is of true importance. It is rare in any of the gospels to get names of people who Jesus interacts with unless they are part of his disciple group. Yet here we have Zacchaeus, a tax collector who no one likes and he gets named. The name Zacchaeus in Hebrew means “pure or innocent.” Can you believe it? A tax collector who takes extra money from those he collects from and keeps it for himself is named for being innocent and pure. So why did the gospel writer include it?
It’s because of his transformation. Zacchaeus was seen as an outcast for his wrong doings, his job title, and yet he still wants to see Jesus. He goes to great lengths to see him and Jesus knows him by name. He asks to go to his house which to have a Rabbi teacher come to your house was the height of importance. Jesus communes with Zacchaeus and all who watch are beside themselves. Why him? He’s not worthy of Jesus’ visit!
Jesus shows then and there how connection and love can transform a person, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” Zacchaeus saw God that day, from a tree, and then sitting across from him at his own dinner table. What seems silly sometimes is exactly where Jesus shows up. So, keep singing those silly songs, keep sharing those moments of transformation, and keep showing how God’s love calls us, claims us, and communes with us.
Questions for Reflection:
- What does your name mean? How well do you feel you fit the meaning?
- How has someone showed up for you when you’ve made a mistake? Did reconciliation happen?
Prayer
God who names us,
In life we do not always make the best decisions. We hurt one another and disagree, yet you claim us still and set our hearts for transformation. Allow us to see your grace in one another and nudge us along to create your beloved community. Amen.
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