Luke 19:1-6 NRSVue

1He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When 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.” 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.


Further reflection

Zacchaeus, despite his limitations, was anxious to see who Jesus was.


Jesus responds with enthusiasm to Zacchaeus' openness, even though tax collectors were shunned by Jewish society, and it wasn't "the done thing".


Can I overcome blocks in approaching Jesus, knowing that, like Zacchaeus, Jesus will respond and my house will be visited?


/He was trying to see who Jesus was./ That is my search too. You lived two millennia ago, Lord. I wish I knew what you would be like today. But when I turn to the Gospels, and seek your face, I find that you have been waiting for me, as you were looking for Zacchaeus, and call me by my name as you called him.


Jesus, as I sit at the computer, you look at me as you looked at Zacchaeus. You call me by name, and invite me to join you. You do not make demands, but in your company I want to change something in myself, and to offer it to you.