I'm not very
tall. Most of the time, I'm not aware
that I'm not very tall because I'm so accustomed to viewing life from the
height that I am. Periodically I will
hug my husband and I'll realize "wow!
I'm short!" Or my son will
graciously remind me with a "man!
You really are short!" Or I
will be trying to reach something on my top kitchen shelf and realize I might
as well just crawl up on the counter.
It's no biggie, it's just life.
Our church recently did a fundraiser where we moved cars for a local car
dealership so they could have a sale in the park. I spent considerable time adjusting each seat
so that I could reach the pedals and see out the windshield, and then I had to
remember to push the seat back as I got out of each car, so the next person could actually get in! The struggles of being short are real. Just yesterday, as I was grocery shopping, I
had to request the help of a much taller stranger. There was a product on the top shelf, pushed to
the back, and even with crawling some of the shelving, I just couldn't
reach. He was very gracious (though I
admit, I suspect he thought I was a bit of a stalker, since I spotted him
further down the aisle and tried to look busy as I waited for him to come
closer…)
When I read the
familiar story of Zacchaeus, I could totally relate to him after all my recent
experiences. I was reminded of the
childhood song we sang in Sunday School about Zacchaeus and how he was a
"wee little man, a wee little man was he," complete with actions
demonstrating how short we each imagined him to be. I began reading the passage basically
believing I would be reminded of familiar truths seen in the story before.
Then God showed up.
I enjoy a good
character study and God began to open my eyes to not only the character of
Zacchaeus, but also to the character of the crowd. Crowds are an interesting phenomenon. A crowd
is made up of individuals and yet seems to take on a personality distinct from
it's individual members. I recently was in Disneyland and I noticed
some things about the crowd there that I began to imagine might be true for the
crowd that was in attendance to see Jesus the day Zacchaeus was there. There was probably quite a bit of
pushing. Each person jockeying to get
the best position possible regardless of
who he or she was moving out of the way.
Each person intent on what would benefit only himself. I'm sure there were those who leaned toward
being more kind within the crowd, at least when watching their outward
behavior. But If you watch closely, you
can tell by certain facial expressions that they are thinking all sorts of rude
and unkind thoughts about those people standing in their way. Those who didn't manage to get the best view
point glare in jealousy at those who get to see and supposedly better
experience the big event. I noticed it as I sat on the curbside for a
Disneyland parade. The Disney characters
interacted with fans on the curb before our general area, then they moved to the other side of the street, leaving our section without that
coveted direct interaction. Parents had
to watch their children closely since their initial reaction is to just go out
into the street demanding they be noticed!
We adults are more subtle. We
just whine and complain about our poor seats, or that something isn't fair, or
that nothing good ever happens to us.
I'm sure the crowd waiting to see Jesus was no different. They had taken the day off, they had pushed
their way to the front of the crowd, they had stepped on toes and they were
ready for the full experience! It only
seemed right and fair. Right?
I saw myself in the
crowd as I read the story of Zacchaeus.
God gently reminded me of the critical spirit I had been displaying
recently. He pointed out to me judgmental behaviors and
how I seemed to be pushing my self forward at the expense of others. I saw that I had been spending too much
energy complaining about things instead of humbling myself in prayer, seeking
the face of Jesus. I hadn't been
displaying the characteristics that God showed me in Zacchaeus.
From the very
beginning of the story Zacchaeus isn't just out for a look at Jesus and to
experience the hoopla of a parade. Luke
19:3 says, "He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able
because of the crowd, since he was a short man." Zacchaeus wasn't out for a glimpse of Jesus
just to satisfy his curiosity. He wanted
to find out who He really was. Young's Literal Translation says that Zacchaeus
was "seeking to see Jesus, who he is…" When the crowd stopped him from achieving his
goal, Zacchaeus ran ahead; he got away from the crowd. He might have grumbled about the crowd as he
ran ahead, but Zacchaeus took action.
Seeing Jesus, knowing who He really was, was important to
Zacchaeus, and he did something about
it. Then, Zacchaeus placed himself in
the best position possible to see and experience Christ; Zacchaeus climbed a
tree. I'm not sure how easy or difficult
this was for him. I’m convinced it was
not something someone of his social position was known to do. Zacchaeus went out on a limb, so to speak,
for something he desperately wanted.
When Jesus notices Zacchaeus and tells him to come down from the tree,
Zacchaeus doesn't hesitate to comply.
Zacchaeus responded with immediate obedience in spite of the stares of
the bystanders, regardless of how he might appear to others, or even if he
might slip and fall in front of the whole town!
Jesus spoke, Zacchaeus obeyed. At this point the crowd begins to do some
serious complaining and condemning of Zacchaeus, but Zach doesn't get
distracted by all those negative voices.
The CSB versions says, "But Zacchaeus stood there…" He stood there, as if to say, "go ahead,
speak your worst, Jesus, the one I came to find out about, the one I want to
know, is speaking to ME! He's going to
come to my house. He's saying He chooses me." Zacchaeus was so overwhelmed
by the presence and person of Jesus that he offered what he had and offered
generously. Luke 19: 9 says,
"…Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have
extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much."
Zacchaeus wanted to please Jesus, delight Him and honor Him. In fact, what Zacchaeus was offering, was a
willingness to comply to Jewish custom and law when one had stolen something
from another. In a moment, Zacchaeus was
admitting he had been acting sinfully, and he was willing to change his behavior
and live within the boundaries that he had once been taught. All because he encountered and experienced
the presence of Jesus.
God's Spirit nudged
my spirit as He unfolded the story before me. He began to ask me some very
pointed questions: was I really
interested in knowing Jesus, or did I just want to experience Him on the
curbside? Was I willing to step away
from the crowd where grumbling and complaining were acceptable and seek the
best vantage point from which to see and know Christ? Was I willing to be
immediately obedient even if I felt
foolish or too much in view of others? Was I willing to shut out the negativity
that was swirling in my thoughts and stand in the truth that Jesus chooses me?
Was I willing to commit to living enthusiastically within the boundaries that
God was determining for me?
I need to be
honest. Sometimes the crowd is so
stinking loud. Sometimes life seems more
comfortable when I'm lost in the midst of that negative, complaining, rude
bunch. And God is calling me to step
away and climb a tree. Jesus wants me to
move to the best vantage point possible so that I can know Him and experience
Him. So if you can't find me for some
reason, perhaps you should be looking in nearby trees. I'm waiting there for Jesus. He's coming this
way and I want to be ready when He says to me "hurry and come down,
because today…."
