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.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Zacchaeus, despite his limitations, was anxious to see who Jesus was.
Reflection
Jesus responds with enthusiasm to Zacchaeus' openness, even though tax
collectors were shunned by Jewish society, and it wasn't "the done thing".
Reflection
Can I overcome blocks in approaching Jesus, knowing that, like Zacchaeus,
Jesus will respond and my house will be visited?
Reflection
/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.
Reflection
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.
Reflection
Butty little Zacchaeus was hated; in that wealthy city he had grown rich by
extortion, but he was not happy, and sensed some need for a change in his
life. If he mingled with the crowd, he would soon be black and blue with sly
nudges and kicks. He had good reason to climb out of the reach of the crowd.
He aimed to be a curious observer of Jesus, and suddenly found himself called
by name.