Luke 19:1-10
The crowd scene in this gospel could remind us of the celebrity craze. It’s like a rally in the current Presidential campaign. But Zacchaeus is seeking more than a crowd attracting political leader. Zacchaeus is a wealthy man. He has it all. Yet he is caught up in the desire to see a celebrity. He has heard of Jesus. Is it just curiosity — or is it something else? Is he in need of something? I think so!
Look at the great lengths to which he goes to see Jesus. He is industrious; he has spunk. He must look really funny, incongruous, this well dressed, wealthy man up high in a tree. No doubt Jesus thinks so, too. Scholars see a comic dimension to this encounter. One can see Jesus stop short. When he sees ZACCHAEUS, one can almost hear Jesus laugh and say: “ZACCHAEUS, what are you doing up there. I intend to stay in your house today. Get down from there!”
Note at the beginning of the passage Luke says Jesus had intended to “pass through,” but seeing ZACCHAEUS makes Jesus change his mind: “I intend to stay in your house today.” The word “today” is a sign from Luke that salvation is about to happen. Jesus knows what Zacchaeus needs and wants. It happens every day, daily, today in Luke’s gospel.
Jesus must sense that ZACCHAEUS is seeking something more in his life, and he senses that Zacchaeus is ready to receive it. He is ripe for the picking, like an apple in a tree which is what he looks like. He comes down “quickly.” The encounter with Jesus, with Jesus’ presence, with Jesus seeing him, brings about an amazing change in Zacchaeus. The outward sign of his change, his conversion, is his concern for the poor. “I shall give half my possessions the poor, and if I have extorted anyone (which tells us that he probably has) I will repay it four times over.”
ZACCHAEUS wanted discovered Jesus’ mercy, humor and quick response to a need. Jesus had intended to pass through, but he was also seeking to save what was lost — so decided to stay. Jesus still comes seeking every day, daily, hidden in the people we encounter. He comes seeking every day, hidden in the bread and wine that become his body and blood.
Eventually, Jesus would take Zacchaeus’ place in the tree – ours, too, on the cross to bring us salvation. (John Marten’s America – Oct. 28, 2013) ZACCHAEUS shows us the way, the how, of seeing the Lord Jesus daily, every day, and today — if we are alert as ZACCHAEUS was. Be on the lookout. He wants to stay with you, too! In the Eucharist he does. There is something more going on here than at a presidential campaign rally! You and I become celebrities salvation comes to our house!