2 Thessalonians 1, Luke 19:1-10
Surprising Jesus
Jesus often surprised people and acted in ways they didn’t expect. In Jericho, he visited Zacchaeus, a hated tax-collector, and declared him to be a true follower of God because of his readiness to give to the poor.
“Think about it. Jesus doesn’t really DO anything for Zacchaeus in this story. He doesn’t heal him. He doesn’t exorcise an evil spirit, or perform some kind of supernatural miracle, or tell him that because he was very rich, he should give all his possessions away. He doesn’t even suggest that Zacchaeus leave his profession as a tax collector.
“All Jesus does is spot Zacchaeus up in the sycamore tree, and when he sees him, Jesus invites himself over to Zacchaeus’ house to stay with him.
“In his home. Now we have to realize that this is a really big deal, not only for Zaccheaus, but for his whole family. Because to the Jewish community, Zaccheaus and his entire family were considered social outcasts. They were unclean people because Zaccheaus, in order to collect taxes for the Roman government, was required by his job to go into the homes and touch the belongings of unclean people. And so this made Zaccheaus ritually unclean according to the Jewish purity laws. And since he was unclean, he infected his entire family, and they were unclean too.
“So nobody, NOBODY, went to their house. NOBODY shared with them when they had reason to rejoice. NOBODY came to sit with them when they were grieving. NOBODY wanted to have anything to do with them, because if they did, they would have become unclean and outcast themselves!
“For Zacchaeus and his family, the fact that Jesus was willing to come to his home, was willing to be simply present with them, willing to risk himself not by what he DID, but simply by BEING THERE with this family, well, I imagine this meant a whole lot to Zacchaeus.
In fact, it was a transformational event for him.
“Because of this act on the part of Jesus, Zacchaeus finds that his heart is changed, and he pledges, he OFFERS, without any prompting from Jesus, to give half of all that he has to the poor, and to try and find and reconcile with those whom he has defrauded in his career.
“Because of Jesus’ simple ministry of being there with him, Zaccheaus’ whole feeling about himself and his life is changed. The members of his family are changed. And perhaps a healing process begins. It is amazing the impact you can have simply by showing up.” Dawn Chesser, GBOD
Wonderful Jesus
Jesus also often did things that were special or wonderful – we could say he showed his ‘glory’. He spoke and acted with power and authority that came from his identity as ‘God among us’.
But from Jesus’ point of view he ‘must’ eat with Zacchaeus. There is a divine necessity here, related to his mission, which is to look for and to save people who are lost (Luke 19:10). He has ‘not come to invite good people to turn to God. [He] came to invite sinners (Luke 5:32). And indeed Zacchaeus does experience salvation and repentance – proved by his readiness to give restitution to any who have been defrauded, and by his generosity to the poor (Luke 19:8,9).
I suppose Jesus knew Zaccheus was going to respond positively to him. Z had gone to considerable effort to see J. Climbing a tree was for children, not for a dignified and respectable man. Z’s effort was indicative. When we are aware we too can see this kind of indication in people. I have periodic contact with several people who are showing interest in spiritual things. I suspect you know at least one person like that. God brings these people across our paths so that we can present Jesus to them – in ourselves and in our conversation with them.
Another special thing about Jesus is that contact with him makes any person clean. Far from Zaccheus the sinner making Jesus unclean, it was the other way round. Because Jesus has made us clean we are safe around sinners unless we join them in their sin. Years ago a non-church friend referred to me as her ‘living conscience’ because I represented God to her I reminded her of what God might think of her behaviour. Because we are God’s people our presence can easily turn people’s thoughts toward God.
Celebrate Jesus
The coming of Jesus in power and glory at the last day will come as a surprise to many. The small group of Jesus’ disciples might seem pathetic, without power or status, and indeed always seem to be suffering in one way or another (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7). If a king were to come to their city with all his glory, they would be the last people he would want to meet. But the apostle Paul assures Christians in the Greek city of Thessalonica that they are the ones – rather than powerful politicians, wealthy business people or proud philosophers – whom this true Emperor is coming to visit. They are the ones who have recognised him as Lord when others mocked him. The tables are turned, and it is the persecutors who are excluded while the Church of Jesus receives a right royal welcome into his eternal kingdom. What ‘songs of deliverance’ (Psalm 32:7) they will sing on that day.
Jesus’ story – as well as the hope that he will come again – is worth celebrating! Zacchaeus’ generous acts celebrated Jesus coming to his house. Paul suggests that Jesus’ followers will share in both joy and wonder when he returns (2 Thessalonians 1:7,10). We can share and enjoy with others how Jesus has come to us, especially how he makes us holy and acceptable to God. Have a look at your daily life to find ways to share and enjoy Jesus’ story today.