One time I was in the University of Dayton football stadium with my Father, watching a game. At one end of the field there were dormitories and college students were sitting out on the window ledges watching the game. Instead of paying to see the game, they got to watch it free. How resourceful, I thought to myself, not only did they save some money, they had the best seats in the house.
Since I am only 5’ 7" tall I can identify with the story of Zacchaeus. He was that little man who climbed up the sycamore tree to get a closer look at Jesus. When you are small you have to be resourceful. One time I met up with two bullies who were about to mug me. Fortunately I was not only small, I was fast too, so I ran away from them. My wife is smaller than I am and I often lose her in department stores since most of the clothing racks are taller than she is. But, I have found a way to find her. I simply look under the racks to see where she is. When your are short you don’t have to bend over as far.
The story of Zaccaeus however, is not just a story about resourcefulness. It is a story about acceptance, change and trust. First acceptance. Zaccaeus was an unpopular, unscrupulous scoundrel. He ripped off people and kept the spoils for himself. He compensated for his smallness by keeping a bigger piece of the pie for his consumption. What he lacked in respect he made up for with wealth. People’s contempt for him is depicted in the story when Jesus invited himself to his house. "They murmured," it reads, thinking thoughts like, "creep, jerk, shmuck, sinner", etc. The warm welcome for this "low life of a man" was just too much for them to take. He was the last one in the community to be befriended by Jesus.
Zacchaeus was accepted by Jesus. He was not accused, criticized or judged. He was out on a limb, removed from the crowd, but in a position to "see". Like those college students, he had the best seat in the house. When Jesus came by he called him by name. Everyone has a name, but we often substitute our own names for people we don’t like. I hated being called "shorty" when I was a young boy. It was an insult and sometimes it hurt. Unfortunately, in this year’s election many candidates have resorted to name calling. I guess the election results will determine our societies stomach for such behavior.
It must have felt good to Zacchaeus just to hear someone call out his name. It was probably the first time he had heard it in years. Jesus placed no labels on him or called him anything that was negative about his character. He recognized him as an individual and called him by name. Names are important to us. When people use them correctly it makes us feel accepted.
After Zacchaeus was accepted he quickly came down from the tree and was filled with joy. His self esteem had been elevated to a new height. He was now motivated to change. He then promised to make restitution for those he had cheated and made a commitment to give to the poor. This new behavior is a complete reversal of his past. He changes from a selfish miser to a benevolent benefactor. You could say that Zacchaeus now had a warm heart. He had grown in size from "petite" to "extra large".
Change occurs when there is a change in behavior. We don’t know whether or not Zacchaeus lived up to his commitment. We do know however, that in the presence of Jesus he said he would and Jesus affirmed his commitment by saying, "Today, salvation has come to this house." Apparently Jesus saw a changed man. What starts out as a little man attempting to see Jesus, ends up with Jesus who seeks out and sees a man of God.
Ironically, Zaccaheus was perched in the sycamore tree, which was an important tree to the poor. The sycamore tree bore the fruit of a inferior fig which was a food source for those who were economically disadvantaged. It was symbolic that he came down from that tree and made his commitment while standing under its branches. Rather than be "out on a limb", Zacchaeus was now standing under the branches of the sycamore tree, shaded by the tree of the poor. We can’t underestimate the symbolism of what took place and where. This was "good news" to the poor, the very essence of Jesus’ message.
Zacchaeus was accepted and therefore changed. But, his "out on the limb" experience involved the issue of trust. There he was, face to face with Jesus, but surrounded by a crowd of people who were filled with hate and discontent. But Zacchaeus trusted in Jesus and Jesus trusted him.
A few weeks ago I was playing golf with a friend. On one hole my ball slipped into a pond. Fortunately, it was close to the bank and I could see it about four feet away. My friend is much bigger than I and I asked him to hold my hand as I stretched my other hand out into the water to retrieve the ball. Because he is my friend I trusted that he would hold on to me. Because I am his friend, he trusted that I wouldn’t pull us both into the pond. Without trust the golf ball will still be resting on the bottom of the pond. Without trust there would be no friendship. Without trust, there would be no report of Zacchaeus and the words from Jesus, "Today, salvation has come to this house."
What does this story say to us for today? First, that for others to be accepted we too have to "go out on a limb." That will take a change in our regular behavior patterns. That means recognizing people we meet as people with a name, an identity which is unique to them, no matter how big or small. Seeing people without prejudice, without criticism and judgment.
Second, it means being generous and not selfish. No matter how resourceful we may be others are affected by our greed and self-serving attitudes. I was watching a report on the NBA lockout. The players and owners are still at odds and another two weeks of the professional basketball season has been canceled. Both sides have plenty of resources and none will likely starve. But, there are hundreds of small vendors who rely on league play to bring in revenue for which their livelihood depends. Their voices are not being heard. Perhaps the owners and players need to look to the story of Zaccaheus, since the very limb he stood on belonged to someone else.
As we reflect on last week’s story, we must first confess our own sins and shortcomings. It’s easy to see the flaws in others but not so easy to admit our own. Just how accepting of others are we? Or, when did we make a commitment and not really change our behavior? Salvation from God involves trust. We trust that God is holding on to us, like my friend on the golf course. We trust that God accepts us as one of God’s children and regardless of names society brands us with we can be ourselves. And we trust that when we have changed our behavior for the common good, God will be pleased.
Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio