Reading
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1-10 (NRSV)
Reflection
The story of Zacchaeus is one of those stories that many of us first heard as kids. It’s got a song, some hand motions, and a character who’s easy to remember. But it’s also one of those stories we don’t hear as often as adults, but when we do, there’s more to the story than we remember.
Zacchaeus wasn’t just “a wee little man.” He was a chief tax collector, which meant he was probably wealthy and, more importantly, deeply disliked. He was also very short, possibly living with some form of dwarfism in a culture where the average man stood around 5’5. In more ways than one, Zacchaeus lived on the margins of his community, and still, something in him longed to see Jesus.
He couldn’t see over the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree. It’s a small detail, but it says a lot. Zacchaeus was desperate just to catch a glimpse of Christ. Then Jesus stops. He looks up, and he calls Zacchaeus by name.
Before Zacchaeus explains himself, fixes anything, or he proves he’s worthy, Jesus invites himself over. “I must stay at your house today.” Jesus meets Zacchaeus with love and grace, and when Zacchaeus encounters Christ, he is transformed.
The crowd grumbles, not understanding why Jesus would go to the home of someone they deemed unworthy. But Jesus does exactly what Jesus always does – he goes toward the person others avoid.
There have been many seasons in my life where I’ve felt a lot like Zacchaeus – just trying to catch a glimpse of Jesus. A few years ago while reading this story, something new stuck out to me: the tree. Zacchaeus couldn’t have climbed that tree if someone hadn’t planted it.
Someone, long before my own Zacchaeus moments, created the possibility for me to see Jesus, even if they never knew it. When they prayed for me, showed me kindness, or even just simply sat with me.
I think that’s part of our calling, too. We’re not called to stand in the crowd, questioning who Jesus chooses to love. We’re called to plant trees. To make space and to create opportunities for people – especially those on the margins – to catch a glimpse of Christ.
Who in your life right now might just be trying to catch a glimpse of Jesus – and how can you plant a tree for them?
Prayer
Holy and Loving God,
Thank you for meeting us with grace, right where we are. Give us hearts that long to see you, like Zacchaeus, and shape us into people who make space for others to encounter you – planting seeds of kindness, welcome, and love. Help us to go where you call us, especially toward those on the margins, trusting in your transformative grace. Amen.
