Devotional
for the Week 25 June 2007
Transformational
Visitation
Sermon Text: Luke
19:1-10
Many
often determine value based on appearance. In today’s text,
Zacchaeus’ fellow Israelites did just that.
In
Zacchaeus’ day, the Israelites were ruled by the Roman government
who appointed tax collectors from amongst the Israelites to collect
taxes from the Israelites. Many viewed them as traitors working
for Roman oppressors. Furthermore, they were often corrupt and prone
to cheating their fellow Israelites by up to twice the amount of
tax payable. Thus, they were much hated by the Israelites. This
was especially so in the case of Zacchaeus since he was the chief
tax collector!
We are told that Zacchaeus was very rich and this hints at his high
level of corruption. We are also told that he was a short man. Some
studies indicate that Zacchaeus was unusually short. Against this
backdrop, we can safely conclude that Zacchaeus must have been treated
by his fellow Israelites as a social outcast and he must have been
aware that he was a despised man.
Yet,
before we judge Zacchaeus based on what he appeared to be, we should
note that Zacchaeus was very eager to see Jesus. He was so eager
that he was willing to climb a sycamore-fig tree to catch a glimpse
of Him. By doing so, Zacchaeus must have looked ridiculous to his
fellow Israelites– picture an unusually short and well-dressed
man climbing a tree! What prompted Zacchaeus to behave as he did?
We do not know how much Zacchaeus knew about Jesus and as such,
whether he longed for God but we do know that he must have yearned
for what Jesus could give.
His
eagerness to see Jesus can be contrasted with other Biblical figures
who, while physically blessed, powerful or loved by the people,
lacked this one quality. King Saul, for instance, was head and shoulders
above everyone else in height (1 Samuel 9:2) and made king at a
young age. However, King Saul was also a jealous and rebellious
man who used all his means to prevent David from ascending the throne,
even after becoming aware that David was God’s appointed successor.
Despite being physically blessed by God, King Saul desperately tried
to oppose the will and plan of God. Judas Iscariot is yet another
example of a man with special privileges but one without love for
God. Judas was chosen to be one of Jesus’ 12 disciples but
he never yearned for Jesus and betrayed Jesus in the end. King Herod,
another famous Biblical figure, was recorded as being very curious
about Jesus but yet he never made time to see Jesus or to listen
to His sermons. Instead, Herod was only interested to see magic
tricks when Jesus was brought before him. Zacchaeus, for all his
obvious flaws, had an unusual yearning for our Lord and that made
him so very special.
Today there continues to be many like Zacchaeus who for one reason
or another have been classified by society as social outcasts or
given up on as obnoxious, far too troublesome or inconvenient. Some
examples include the aged sick, prisoners, those who are terminally
ill and the poor and needy.
These people, like Zacchaeus, may not know Christ and hence, not
yearn for Him. However, in their hearts, they always yearn for that
which only Jesus can bring – forgiveness and reconciliation
with God, love, acceptance and a second chance in life. However,
they will never know that Jesus can provide these things unless
someone tells them. What is your reaction towards the “Zacchaeus”
of today? Have you turned a blind eye to them or simply despised
them in your heart?
Jesus
performed a transformational visitation that day. When Jesus saw
Zacchaeus, He said “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must
stay at your house today.” (v 5). This simple statement tells
us 2 things. Firstly, Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name even before they
were introduced. Secondly, Jesus’ visit to Zacchaeus home
was of a divine necessity. It was fore-ordained that this should
and must happen. Zacchaeus receiving a visit from Jesus was no accident
– it was God’s choice!
However,
the Israelites saw Jesus’ visit as a poor choice (v 7) because
in their eyes, a holy man should not be entertained at the home
of a great sinner. Have you ever thought about the choices that
you make? Are they, like the Israelites, fuelled by your own prejudices
or determined by your own pre-conceived views on who is worth talking
to or visiting? Sometimes, we look at the forgotten in society and
conclude quickly that paying them a visit is a poor choice, especially
when we consider the many other seemingly worthwhile things that
we can do in its place.
The
Bible does not record Jesus engaging Zacchaeus in a theological
debate (like He did with Nicodemus) or lecturing him on what is
right and wrong. However, we do know the end result of that visit
- Zacchaeus was transformed completely. Zacchaeus decided to give
half of his possessions to charity. This exceeds Jewish Law recommendations
of giving 20% as a maximum! Zacchaeus also repented of his ways
immediately by paying back each person he cheated 4 times the amount
he cheated them of! You never know when a simple visit or the showing
of empathy, care and concern can change a human life and change
it drastically.
Do
not despise the day of small beginnings. God has divine appointments
and when in obedience, we choose to partner God in making those
appointments, lives become transformed. What choices will you make
today?
Prayer:
Dear
God, thank you so much for bringing characters like Zacchaeus to
life and for the many lessons that I can learn from Jesus’
short encounter with Zacchaeus. Please help me to be sensitive to
your leading and be willing to make Godly choices even when they
seem like poor choices to others. May you use me to transform lives.
Devotional
based on a sermon by Rev Joel Yong.