April 18
Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
REFLECTION
Zacchaeus was not only a tax collector, but a chief one. He would have been extremely rich, being reflected in the clothes that he wore. Tax collectors were despised by other Jews as traitors and collaborators. They broke rabbinic law by charging interest to fellow Jews, lining their pockets with the money from those who could least afford it. They were corrupt and greedy. Today we see the greed prevalent within society. Businesses are driven by profits and shareholder dividends to excess. Exorbitant rates are charged by predatory money lenders. Banks have made unprecedented profits as have utility companies whilst many in society struggle to make ends meet. It was seen as immoral in Christs time and a hindrance to entering the kingdom. Yet Jesus does not turn his back on anyone and calls all to come and be with him. In doing so attitudes change, moral compasses are realigned, and society becomes fairer. Zacchaeus having been accepted by Jesus, willingly and without prompting gave half of his wealth away. He gave the prescribed 4 times repayment to those he robbed.
There are those today who give their wealth away in recognition of their thankfulness and share their good fortune with those who need it.
Why would an extremely wealthy man who had all he needed demean himself by climbing a tree? As a tax collector he wouldn’t have been in the prominent reception party, so he had no other option. What drove him though was a desire to meet this teacher and healer called Jesus. He would have been excluded from the worshipping community. Though no doubt he had “friends” within the tax collecting people he would have felt isolated and shut out from his heritage. You may say he brought it upon himself and therefore got what he deserved. Jesus recognised Zacchaeus’s need, seeing past the outward trappings, the mask he wore and sort to meet that need. He recognised his humanity.
We hear some people say that those who abuse alcohol or drugs, live a life of crime, or live with HIV brought the consequences upon themselves. They may be shunned by society and even family, yet we are called to follow the example of Jesus to seek the lost. Not to be exclusionary but to include all. We are to see beyond the outward trappings and recognise the humanity of those who are lost. It is a gospel imperative and not the actions of so-called do-gooders. However, so many are wrapped up in their own worlds that they do not take the time or effort to see past the mask. God’s kingdom is for all and our mission is to all not just whom we consider deserving. We look with Christs eyes and see the child of God within.
QUESTIONS
- Who do you see as lost?
- What do you believe God is calling you to do regarding the lost in your community?
- Do you present a mask to the world to hide your true self?
