“Not Everyone Is As They Seem”

Boy, do we ever need Jesus to help us with our assumptions.

Zacchaeus knew he was a loser. It likely started when he noticed he was always picked last because he was short. So, suffering with “short man syndrome”, he decided to get the upper hand by sticking it to them. And as a chief tax collector, he did. Let them look down on him if they wanted to. He didn’t care, and he didn’t need them.

Have you noticed how easy it is to despise “up and outers”? Of course, Zacchaeus’ wealth came through corruption. So, add warranted resentment to working-class jealousy, and Zacchaeus is really “out.” He was a pompous jerk through and through.

That’s why Jesus surprises everyone when he notices Zacchaeus, calls him by name and invites himself to his house. Nobody went there. For one thing, they wouldn’t be welcome. Secondly, who’d want to have anything to do with him anyway?

It’s fascinating how rejection works. We assume and dismiss before the other has a chance to reject us! Like always, Jesus was immune to all that stuff. He saw Zacchaeus for what he was. Lost and looking for a way in.

I suspect that there were two surprises that day. First, that Jesus would have even a kind word for a corrupt rich man. Second, that pompous jerk wasn’t what he appeared to be after all!

All that power and money? Just a wall. Given a chance for love and acceptance, he collapsed it in a second. Half to the poor, then as much as was needed to compensate victims ten percent more generously than the OT law required. Jesus helped the real Zacchaeus to step forward.

Boy, do we ever need Jesus to help us with our assumptions.

Respond in Prayer

Lord Jesus, You see me just as I am - the “little me” that hides behind my false self. Thank you for calling with inviting, healing grace. Today, I choose to climb down out of my tree and to welcome you into my private world. In your gracious name, Amen.

Keith Elford

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).