Little man in a tree

Luke 19:9-10 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus was a traitor.  In the occupied nation of Israel, he chose to work for the enemy, the occupying force, exacting taxes from his countrymen.  The people hated tax collectors like him, and from his testimony, he was hardly upright even in siding with the Romans.  He ripped people off.

When Jesus came to his neighborhood, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a view of the prophet as he passed.  He did not call out to Jesus, but Jesus called out to him, singling him out for a home visit (yes, Dr. Jesus makes house calls).  We don’t have the conversation recorded between them but if one questions the art and need for compassionate, confidential confrontation and counsel (hey look, 4 C’s) in ministry just know Jesus did it regularly.

As a result, Zacchaeus emerged from it promising to repay anything he had stolen times four (that would be good interest on one’s money) and to give half of his possessions to the poor.  He became thumbs up to the rich young ruler’s thumbs down (see Luke 18:18ff) regarding surrendering his goods to follow Jesus. 

Those looking on scoffed at the idea of Jesus visiting the short man, calling him a “sinner” due to his occupation and practice.  They were right.  Yet, Jesus’ statement that salvation had come to his house (a pun really because Jesus’ name means “Salvation”) and that he too was a son of Abraham advances a proposition that no one, NO ONE is excluded or shunned from saving grace.  His statement that He came to save the lost goes perfectly with his initiating street-to-tree contact with Zacchaeus from the outset.  It was intentional and absolutely consistent with His purpose.

Who do I exclude, calling names and placing him or her outside grace?  I’m dead wrong when I do that, because Jesus calls such a person out of their perch and into love.  What group does culture or political tribe say is untouchable by grace?  Dead wrong again, that group is the target and early recipients of grace.

How can we (and I) change from an individual who came into Christ as a beggar for mercy turn into a judge and/or soldier keeping people out of our bunker and inner circle?  We have no basis for exclusive pride, but only thanksgiving, because:

Romans 5:8 … God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There are neither gradients nor varieties of sin in that verse because without Christ, we are Zacchaeus up in a tree.

The unwarranted wail of the obedient

Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

It’s a parable, a story with made-up characters.  But because Jesus told it, our minds and souls immediately plug real people into the roles, because they are always archetypes of human beings in our lives.  We know people like that.

These words were spoken by the older son of the Prodigal Son, the younger brother who demanded his inheritance money before his father died and then wasted it on wild living.  He had come back, ready to be a slave and not a son, but his father would have none of that.  He was restored to sonship immediately upon his return with great fanfare and celebration.

The older son bitterly resented his brother, in fact refused to call him his brother – “this son of yours” intentionally skirts the fact that they are brothers.  Even if the father had not disowned the younger brother, his older sibling had.

The resentment of those who have remained faithful to a role, relationship or life calling while others have strayed and then returned is founded in envy.  This son wanted to be celebrated by his father and felt he had deserved it by virtue of faithfulness.  His father replied that he could celebrate any time, but that his brother’s return was life from the dead, so they MUST celebrate.

Where do I fail to rejoice with those who rejoice?  To probe my soul –  where is my reticence (my reserve) hiding real resentment?

The root of the anger by the older brother is a feeling of being unappreciated.  Let me recall seeing it in myself – it takes selective inventory of work done, counting every scar, personal cost and crippling fatigue that plagues all hard work.  And arguably we NEED to be validated and celebrated from time to time as we NEED to know and chronicle how our gifts and competencies are developing.  And there’s nothing wrong with having needs.

But if I feel injustice when someone else is celebrated, I need to get over myself.  Because they have needs as well.  The younger brother needed to have his decision to come back validated and joyfully underscored.  He had himself been victimized by those who loved his money but couldn’t care less about him, but at this point he had returned to those who loved him.  Except for his older brother.

Don’t be a resentful sibling when the stray returns.  Just don’t – it hurts you.

Ministry of preparation

Luke 1:76-79: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Zechariah had been struck with being mute during his wife Elizabeth’s entire pregnancy.  For he had not believed the word spoken by the angel Gabriel in the Holy of Holies as he had performed his priestly duties.  He had regained his ability to speak when he confirmed the name of his newborn son, John (the Baptist).

The prophecy he then uttered could well be seen as pent-up words, stored deep within his spirit for months. It begins with a proclamation of God’s promises over his people Israel, for their redemption and salvation from their enemies.  In the first century, Israel’s “enemy” in that context was the occupying Roman army.  But Zechariah then finished his prophecy with a word for his newborn baby, John.  In these words, we have a precursor to the nature of the salvation which was to define John’s ministry and that of the Messiah, Jesus.

Work in preparing the way of the Lord echoed back to Isaiah 40.  There would be a reformation of repentance that John would be instrumental in performing.  National and personal sin would need to be reckoned with, turned away from in advance what was to happen.  It was not judgment but tender mercy that would motivate and accomplish the coming move of God, with its forgiveness and salvation in tow.

John’s ministry would be one of making known, revealing and getting ready.  That work was vital because thoughts and speech about salvation would necessarily imply the political/military kind and that was not to be the way God was going to move on the lives of people.  No, as Zechariah’s words concluded, this was a salvation from darkness to light and from war to peace.  It would require no military advance; indeed, it would penetrate military ranks with the commanders powerless to stop it.  And its fruit was to witness the very visit of heaven to earth.

On this side of all those events, I know well the nature of this salvation, of this Jesus.  Yet truthfully it is easy to fall prey to encroaching darkness even so.  Let me be found coming into the light continually, being cut to the quick and caught up short where I have devolved into former ways of thinking, speaking and acting.

Let me also know that there is a preparation ministry in my own heart to experience God’s deepest presence and re-establish his salvation in the present and with power.  It’s not that the Lord is unavailable without some prior spiritual push-ups; Hebrews 4:16 clearly says otherwise.  It’s that in my human existence, there is a spiritual place of fellowship with God that is only found by pushing through my flesh and intellect.  All the calls to prayer in the NT point there.

 

Saving a miser from misery

Luke 19:9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

The people of Israel hated tax collectors, who worked for the occupying Romans. Not only were they compromised in their loyalty, but they used their power to extort more money than was truly owed. Everyone knew they were thieves, also.

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, so we can imagine, though not told, of a pyramid scheme of graft he utilized to acquire great wealth. He was also of short stature, such that when Jesus came by, he had to climb a tree in order to see. It must have been startling to hear Jesus tell him to get down because he had to spend the day at his house. Startling and scandalous, because to visit someone like that was thought to be an endorsement of their life and practices, perhaps to curry favor or gain wealth for oneself.

But Jesus had other plans. We do not know the conversation, but Zacchaeus emerged from their time together joyfully repentant. He would restore four times what he had gained illegally and give a full half of his wealth to the poor. In a short time he went from miser to benefactor.

Jesus’ proclamation that “salvation has come to this house” could have been seen as a pun, since Jesus’ own name – Yeshua – means salvation. But more vital is his inclusion of Zacchaeus as a son of Abraham. His restoration was something Jesus needed to accomplish that day.

So, do I look on crooks in high places with a condemning heart? It is certainly in vogue these days to do so. Are they hopelessly doomed to be bound in their own greed and pride? Or do I see the will of God that salvation would come to their house? Oh, let me drink that spirit in! Let me be strengthened with such grace that I could see my very oppressors saved, smiling and generously loving where before they were only using me and others like me. Is this enabling? Is it making myself vulnerable to new and even worse hurt? Not if my steps are ordained by the Lord.

Let me have a prophetic glimpse of what it means to include the wayward despot among the people of God. Let me make sure that person knows s/he is welcome in the family, that there is no condemnation awaiting his/her coming clean and coming to faith. And let me spend time as Jesus did, compelled to speak life to the cold and dead.

Roger Daltry sang the word “No one knows what it’s like to be the sad man, to be the bad man, behind blue eyes. No one knows what it’s like to be hated, to be fated to telling only lies.” Indeed. And no one knows what it’s like when salvation comes to his house.

The need to slow down

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Martha was a great hostess. If you were to have a party and wanted everything to be set up, clean, beautiful and functional, she was the person to make it so. Now there are basically two motivations for activity like that – 1) fear of what others think and might say and 2) an attitude of loving service. I think we see enough of Martha’s words and actions to conclude her motivation was fear. And she wanted others to enter into that fear – specifically Mary her sister. She wanted Jesus to exert His authority to force Mary to help her in her frenetic work. Her words even accused Jesus of not having correct motives – “don’t you care?” – as if her heart was in a better place than the Lord of glory.

It’s important to see that Jesus didn’t condemn Martha. He didn’t slam her with biting criticism that laid bare her vain heart. He instead gently pointed out that Mary was acting on better motivation than Martha. Mary wanted to hear from Jesus and that was more important than a house out of order or unprepared dip or finger food. It’s not that preparations didn’t have to be made and visitors didn’t have to be served – they did. It was just the attitude and rush that Martha had and wanted everyone else to have that needed confrontation. The food prep could wait – why not have the guests even help?

Do I demand that others join me in my anxious wranglings? Do I ask God to assign worry warts to surround me and help me? Do I even fret the small stuff, forgetting that I only need to chill and then I will find Jesus giving me all I need?

The message is simple yet hard to receive and practice – slow down! I mean I am paid to go fast, and faster still. I am compensated to be impatient – I’m not inventing that, just doing what my occupation calls for. Yet Jesus interrupts all of that, telling me this other relaxed one has chosen the better portion. Why am I working so hard? Why so fearfully? Let me hear the rhythms of God this day and pace myself, taking moments off to pray and breathe in grace. I need this real time – in the middle of things. And I need this at the beginning – as I prepare for the day. Bless the Lord O my soul.

Upsetting the order of things

Luke 8:35 And the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

The people of the Gerasenes were afraid after viewing a restorative miracle performed on a man who had been exiled to isolation among the tombs of their land. In other areas, people flocked to see Jesus, to be healed of disease, taught and even fed. But here, after the events they had seen, the people wanted Jesus to leave and not come back. One explanation is that there is an aspect of loss to the story – pigs that had been feeding nearby had been destroyed when the legion of demons had been cast into them by Jesus. Having swine as livestock in the first place was at least questionable if not blatantly breaking Mosaic law. So the destruction of the pigs could be seen as judgment on their compromised way of life.

But there is also fear when the order of things is upset. This man had been excluded from society. He was, to be kind, unsociable. And people take some perverse comfort in their systems that label and assign others to places in social castes. If this man could be restored, what slaves or other underlings could be? This spelled destruction to their closely-held sense of superiority with its implied chain of command and hierarchy. And that was unacceptable.

Yes and amen, God would destroy and delights in destroying the systems and societal structures that keep others in bondage of either rank or the iron fetters of slavery. Jesus came to set the captives free. So, the gospel is very dangerous to such oppressive systems and attitudes. Let it destroy any such attitudes in me. This is not to say all are equally gifted or everyone is a boss or leader. It is simply a breakdown of the arrogance that accompanies privilege and rank. It upholds the rights and right standing of the lowest of people.

Jesus went right to the outcast demoniac and restores him – before asking or going to anyone else in town. That man was arguably his whole point for coming to the Gerasene region. Likewise, let that be my focus. Let ME find the crazy person, the one most in need of love and understanding. And when I do, let me be quick to listen and slow to speak. For the legion need to be perceived and fully understood before I can help anyone. As important as casting out evil is to fill the person with God’s word of restorative love and hope, else the demons return to a swept house. This is ministry, this is love. 

Itinerant purpose

Scripture:

Luke 4:42-43 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Observation:

While in the synagogue of his hometown of Nazareth Jesus had pronounced his commission, citing Isaiah. He traveled to Capernaum in Galilee and beginning to deliver and heal the people. At the end of Luke 4, he left the people to be alone in “a desolate place”. But his celebrity and the needs of the people inspired them to seek him out. By popular demand he was to continue his work with them as he had been. And the passage says that the people would actually have kept him among them, ministering to their needs indefinitely – until they deemed it fit for him to move on. He was to be, in their mind and intention, their private prophet. But that was not to be. He announced that his news – the setting free of captives cited in his commission – was not only for their one town but for many. It was the purpose for which he was sent.

Application:

People invade privacy if you let them. Jesus went to a desolate place not to have people follow him, but very likely to be alone. The crowds did not allow that. He would do this vanishing act many times over the course of his ministry, and it was to be alone with God and pray. Do I make that a priority? I have nothing like the celebrity of Jesus of Nazareth but I do have busyness and people vying for my attention. Do I have a desolate place and a time to go there? If not, I need that. And when people are around me, do I cave to their requests or stay on mission?

And I cannot miss the motivation of Christ in this passage. He is NOT after larger crowds and yet greater celebrity. He would absolutely rise to national notoriety, but not because it was his goal or purpose. His goal was to spread the good news of the Kingdom to as many people as he could, accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders. It was the latter part that got people’s attention though the former – discipleship – that the miracles led to. Because, indeed, the work of the Kingdom was not even His alone to do. He would raise up apostles and disciples, sending them out to preach, heal and deliver as he had. The delegation of Kingdom work required that he not just do by himself. He was launching the church. Am I making disciples? Am I delegating the work of the Kingdom? Or at least do I pray and plan to be? I hope so, for the sake of the investment in me. And rather than allowing the crowds to exalt me, let me be found seeking the other gifted ones with no cause, just waiting for the call to glory they do not know exists.

Prayer:

Father, let me not settle for celebrity or notoriety. For you have much more for me to do. The glory is Yours alone; grant that I might live for it. In Jesus’ name amen.

Including the outcast

Scripture:

Luke 3:12-14 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we,what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Observation:

The ministry of John the Baptist was dramatic. His message was strong and blunt – “Repent and be baptized!” By John’s own insistent admission it was given in preparation of another who was yet to be identified and start his own ministry – Jesus Christ. In fact, the passage in Luke 3 includes the baptism of Jesus by John. But the earliest and arguably the most deeply touched by John’s message were those who knew they had the greatest need to be forgiven. They were also the most despised in the nation. Rome occupied Israel. Among the Israelites, those who profited from that occupation were those who sided with Rome and had betrayed their nation and people. These were the tax collectors. It’s not remarkable that they came to be baptized; they knew the resentment of everyone. And the softening of their hearts – through base conviction brought about by the Holy Spirit – caused them to ask what they should do. John’s reply that they should not collect more than Rome required revealed a sin that everyone suspected – they were padding their pockets. But even the Roman soldiers came to John – who mostly had no interest in the God of Israel. His message to them revealed their sin as well – that they were using their position to take money and pervert justice. They were to do it no longer.

Application:

I need to note that cleansing of sin involves repentance. And it is not only the sentiment of sorrow – as authentic and deep as that feeling might be. Action is required – and not just the behavior modification of human devise that would engineer an improved life. No, this is God-directed cessation or commencement of life’s practices according to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It is alignment with God’s law of love. Where do I need this? What do I need to put away or pick up in my life? The tax collectors and soldiers found acceptance in the ministry of John the Baptist and arguably nowhere else. They were despised, but John received them. He made no distinction. Immediately I am confronted with my heart’s exclusion of those enemies I would name. Their tribes and origin change across the course of my life, but my resentment of their sins against me and my people have caused my heart to harden against them. God’s purpose is to redeem. Always. John’s message was confrontational. Yet enemies responded because they saw a way out of sin they knew had entangled them. John was a pointer to Christ and his mikvah – the Jewish practice of cleansing by immersion – was only a preparation for salvation. I can also only point to Christ – I do NOT have salvation to offer from myself. Let me learn to confront in love as John did – and bring to Jesus those who respond. John had great courage and unwavering loyalty to God; I am humbled by his life of faith. And though I am NOT John the Baptist wearing camel hair and consuming locusts, though I work on the other side of the cross, let me learn from him and pick up all that is there for me. For he loved the sinner and thirsted for the redemption of his nation. Let me do likewise.

Prayer:

Father, humility dictates that I repent here. I ask with the tax collector “Teacher, what should I do?” Grant me the grace to obey the reply. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The inward lamp

Scripture:

Luke 11:34-36  Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

Observation:

A lamp shines outwardly. Yet the eye gives no light, but takes it in. So if the eye is a lamp, it is a lamp that shines inwardly. This is a statement of the importance of godly perspective. A sick eye, then, is one that darkens vision with an interpretation of deceit, negativity, suspicion and accusation. The unhealthy eye does not occur in isolation; others with such a view spread their infection through words and ill fellowship. Jesus says that when the eye goes bad, darkness fills the entire being. Such is the power and scope of faulty perception. Care must be taken to avoid that for it poisons the inner person. Eyes that see hope, employ faith and grant mercy are those brightening the body with their rays. And when that happens, just as darkness can pervade, so much more can light. It is the will of God that there be no darkness and that believer shine brightly from within.

Application:

I am cut to the quick by this word. I confess to not really understanding it before today. Or maybe I just didn’t want to. The downward spiral of hopelessness and dissipation surrounds me and if I let it, will drag me under. There is a good fight to engage in here – to find the good in things. It has been taught me but so has sarcastic resentment and the weighing down of the soul with cares that have artificial magnitude. Let me be found casting my anxieties on the Lord, confronting the stress inwardly and outwardly and sowing hope instead. This is not only a stance that things “aren’t that bad” – they are NEVER bad with God who works all things together for my good. I need to wake up to God’s work in and through me, cease giving ear to the disgruntled such that I too share their despairing view, let God heal my eyes so that light would pervade the darkness and give Him the glory for it all. There is always plenty to inspire a dim view but there is always plenty to expand that view as well. This takes the muscle of faith and its incumbent practice of faithfulness in prayer and worship. But if I want His light to shine out of me, it must first shine into me.

Prayer:

Father, I am Your project. Work in me Your will and grant me Your perspective; I want to see what You see. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It’s noisy out there – (Luke 2:51)

Scripture:

Luke 2:51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Observation:

During their annual family trip to Jerusalem during the Feast of Passover, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was missing as they started their return home to Galilee in Nazareth to the north. Like most parents in that predicament, they were frantic and returned to find him discussing and even teaching the teachers of the Law in the Temple. His reply to their protest that he had mistreated them as parents to whom he was to submit was that he was indeed in his Father’s house and they should have known that was where to find him. That reply cited obedience to a higher authority than his earthly parents. Luke then includes the verse above to quash any thought that Jesus was somehow thinking himself above parental authority altogether. He was indeed submissive as an obedient first born son. His mother Mary had several reminders of the circumstances of his birth and the high calling on his life. This was an episode that showed once again the true Fatherhood of Christ – He was, and is, God’s Son. For her this knowledge was a precious promise that she had borne Israel’s Messiah. It would help her bear further watching Him suffer and die for the sins of the world.

Application:

Do I obey God first and foremost? There are all kinds of authorities I have properly aligned my life under, but none of them are THE Authority. And the tricky thing is to process all the voices citing godly advice and principles – often citing God’s Word – to be a sheep that hears the voice of Jesus. In short, there’s a lot of noise and only one still, small voice to hear and heed. No one else can do it for me, and I can do it for no one else. This is not a call to stubborn independence, but it is a call to individual relationship. It means to scorn the shame of accused rebellion when it comes while knowing I have truly obeyed. And it means to confess my own rebellion when I have obeyed my own wants or the distracting draw of the world around me over the expressed will of God. It’s noisy out there.

Also, do I treasure the reminders of who I am in Christ and His promises for my life? If I do not, I ignore vital encouragement and opportunities to take heart in the midst of a life in motion. God meets me along the way – that’s an amazing fact and one to which I must attune my senses to breathe in and obtain new vigor. Again, the voices and circumstances around me can war against and try to diminish the celebration of victories God wins in my life. Let me learn to reflect with thanksgiving for truly God cannot fail and I cannot fail in Him.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for bringing this alive to my spirit today. Grant that I may have a filter for the noise and the strength to obey You amidst all distraction. In Jesus’ name, amen.