When Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, we get a story that is more than encouragement for boldness in our own faith.
For Sunday
Proper 26C
Collect
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Reading
From Luke 19:1-10
“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”
Reflection
Zacchaeus climbs a tree to get a look at Jesus. To see him. Because the crowds are so many. And he is so short. He wants to see Jesus and all he can see are people’s backs. So he changes his vantage point. His perspective.
And when he does, he meets a Jesus who meets him there. Not obscured behind the crowds, wallowing in his shortness. A Jesus who recruits him to do Kin-dom work immediately.
Perspectives can change. And often do. We, too, can change our own.
There is a great contradiction to Zacchaeus’ perspective. He is, after all, a chief tax collector and is rich. Socially, he towers over others. But not so physically. His wealth, no doubt, can get him what he wants, but it can’t get him access to Jesus.
There is something about our perspective of Zacchaeus, Jesus, wealth, power, and access that can become part of the story, too, if we let it.
Perspectives in Art
Last week, a colleague went looking for representations of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in art. And what she found was quite troubling. Recall that the parable pits two perspectives on faith and righteousness: one with a kind of certainty and the other with humility.
Artists throughout history have tried to capture that sense of certainty and humility in the clothing and appearance of the two characters—by representing them completely wrong.
- The Pharisees are committed believers, not wealthy elites. And yet, artists paint them in fancy purple robes and with a haughty stance.
- Tax Collectors, like Zacchaeus, are frequently far more wealthy, but are presented in humble clothes and postures.
Throughout history, by attempting to convey the character of the people, artists have misrepresented who those people actually are. And why their perspective is important.
Why Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus’ physical stature is a metaphor. But it is his social and economic status that is far more important to the story. Because Jesus doesn’t call up to “short guys in trees.” He’s inviting himself over to a traitor’s house to eat with the unclean. As hundreds of “good” people are passed over for this honor.
And further, like the tax collector from the parable, it is Zacchaeus’ sacrifice—how he arranges his life—to seek the mercy of Christ that shines through. Not because the good people aren’t good enough. But because this lost sheep is right now found.