Episode 66 - Going Out on a Limb

In this episode I want to look at a character known to many who traveled from hopeless to hopeful through his interaction with Jesus.  This man was willing to sacrifice his dignity to get a chance to see Jesus.  Of course, I'm talking about what is a favorite Bible story for many.  I'm talking about Zacchaeus. 

Perhaps you are facing rejection and lonliness.  Or you know someone who is.  I invite you to listen to this incredible journey and what we can learn for our journey to hope.  I also invite you to share this episode with others.

For more about hope, please visit my website at https://ourjourneytohope.com

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Transcript

Children are often asked what they want to be when they grow up.  Most answer with some heroic profession such a policeman, fireman, nurse, doctor, etc.  I suspect you will rarely hear that a child wants to grow up to be a tax collector.  

 The expression, “going out on a limb” means someone does something they believe in even though it is risky or might result in their ridicule.  It did not originate with the Zacchaeus, the subject of this lesson, but it certainly fits his encounter with Jesus.  This well-known event is found in Luke 19.  

 This is indeed a remarkable event that relates to our journey to hope.  In this lesson we will look at some observations about this interaction and how it relates to the journey from hopelessness to hopefulness. 

We know the story of Zacchaeus, the “wee little man” as he is sometimes referred to.    He was too short to see over the heads of those in the crowd that were trying to see Jesus,  so he climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view.  As Jesus passed by, He saw Zacchaeus and informed him that He was going to spend the day at his house.  Note that of everyone crowding around that day to see Jesus, it was Zacchaeus whom He wanted to spend the day with.

Critical to the event is that Zacchaeus was a tax collector, someone despised by his fellow Jews.  We don’t know what was said between the two, but Zacchaeus was so moved by the time spent with Jesus that he made a remarkable transformation.  He promised to give half of what he owned to the poor and to repay by four times the amount of money to anyone he had cheated.  Because of that penitent attitude and his commitment, Jesus blessed Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus had what was considered by Jewish society to be the worst of the worst jobs.  Not only was he a tax collector, a despised representative of Rome, a hated oppressor, he was also a key figure in that role.  Zacchaeus is described as a “chief tax collector” (Luke 19:2).  

Basically, there are two types of tax collectors, those like the apostle Matthew who manned tax collection booths and the chief tax collectors, like Zacchaeus, for whom they worked.  Both were despised because they were known to charge more taxes than were honestly owed and to pocket the difference.  There were few regulated taxes in that time so almost any amount could be charged and would have to be paid.  While there is no indication in scripture that Matthew was dishonest and cheated others out of tax money, there is the possibility that he was.  But there is little doubt about Zacchaeus.  He seems to admit to it in Luke 19:8.

When we read mentions of tax collectors by the Jews, we see them as despised and associated with the worst in society.  They were the personification of what a sinner was.  Jesus himself even echoed this by saying in Matthew 18:17 that tax collectors were to be treated as gentiles.  This was not to say Jesus despised anyone, even Gentiles (non-Jews) and tax collectors.  This was a popular attitude held by the people who would be listening to Him.  By identifying their perspective, it became a greater teaching about how to extend forgiveness to someone that has wronged you.  Those hearing Jesus mention tax collectors would certainly have felt wronged.  If the person refuses to correct the wrong, then they are to be treated as someone outside of the faith.  They were the ones rejecting our Lord, not our Lord rejecting them.  

Rather than continuing as the Jews did and hate the tax collectors, Jesus used them as an example to show mercy and forgiveness.  It was a shocking position much the same in the parable where He referred to a Samaritan as one who showed mercy rather than those most expected to (Luke 10:25-37).   

Note also, in the context of three of the great parables on mercy and forgiveness in Luke 15, the parables were told because of the “tax collectors and sinners” were coming close to Jesus to hear Him. This led to complaining by of the Pharisees that Jesus associated and ate with them.  This is the same as the grumbling of those in the crowd when Jesus associated with Zacchaeus.  The Pharisees showed no desire to help change people.  Rather they sat in judgment over them, pushing them even further away.  This is at the heart of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. 

So, there was Zacchaeus, like so many of us without a relationship with our Lord.  He felt, and certainly was shunned from his own society spiritually, relationally, and physically.  If he had any hope, it was in others like him and in what he could take from this world. These offer a false hope and without hope for a normal life. It was no surprise that Zacchaeus, like so many mired in hopelessness, responded to Jesus with such devotion and repentance.

Yet these are who Jesus said He came to rescue.  He states this as the narrative ends in Luke 19:10. The statement is often quoted as not only the mission of Jesus but is extended to us as our mission as His followers.  We too must seek and save the lost.  One must wonder if the “lost” so many seek are those they find acceptable rather than, “all the lost”.  Be careful here.  We might be in the group that needs to be found.  Sometimes we look at others as needing Jesus and forget that so do we.  

We can learn much from this meeting between Zacchaeus and Jesus.  I want to focus on three primary applications and how they help us on our journey to hope.

When we make the effort to seek Jesus, we find Him.  Zacchaeus was willing to do what was necessary to see who Jesus was.  As we read the encounter, we see deliberate and committed actions.  He went to where Jesus would be.  when faced with an obstacle, he made the extra effort to see Jesus rather than give up in frustration.   We too must make the effort.  

As Jesus began His earthly ministry, He taught what is known as the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5 – 7).  As He began this remarkable sermon, He made nine statements about true happiness.  Among these, in Matthew 5:6.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”    

Zacchaeus demonstrated a level of hungering and thirsting by his deliberate actions.  He encountered Jesus and was indeed satisfied.  So too will we be when we take the effort to seek our Lord.  We will find Him and become blessed and satisfied by the discovery of true and eternal hope.

One more thought.  In Luke 15:3-7 Jesus told a wonderful parable of seeking the lost.  It is the Parable of the Lost Sheep. The shepherd had 100 sheep.  All but one was safe.  The one had wandered away, very likely lost, and hopelessly at the mercy of predators.  Now look at what the shepherd did.  He left the 99 in search of the 1.  He did not hesitate or wait for better conditions.  The text states that he left the others in “open country” and immediately went in search of the one.  That’s the motivation our Lord has for our soul.  When the sheep was found, the shepherd carried him on his shoulders, rejoicing in finding him and returning him safety.  The journey from hopelessness to hopefulness was complete because of the loving response of the shepherd to the one in need.  

The world would say to the shepherd, don’t bother; you’ve got the others.  Besides, it’s probably too late.  But that is not how our Lord sees us in our need.  Every soul is of great worth.  Jesus came to save humanity.  But most of all, He came to save each of us individually.  We grasp the realization of that hope when we seek Him. 

As that Parable of the Lost Sheep ends, Jesus states that there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.  To repent means to turn our life around and become a follower of Jesus or to reestablish that relationship.  We turn away from our focus on self to focusing on following our Lord.  When one sinner does this, there is a great and joyful celebration in the presence of God.  Zacchaeus created a tremendous party that day! 

Don’t let your reputation or your self-perception get in the way.  Despised and rejected, possessing perhaps a well-deserved bad reputation, Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus.   He  probably did not know what to expect, certainly he would not have expected Jesus to spend the day with him or to see his life changed in such a way.  Through his interaction with Jesus he showed no hesitation to respond to our Lord.

Our Lord makes a wonderful statement affirming His desire to have an encounter with us in Revelation 3:20. Note in the text that it seems to resemble His encounter with Zacchaeus.  In this passage, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” 

Zacchaeus could have deflected the request by Jesus to spend the day with him.  He could have stated that he was unworthy to have Jesus join him.  It might have been an honest denial to not harm Jesus’ reputation.  But note from the text that Zacchaeus hurried down the tree and received our Lord joyfully! (Luke 19:6).

We might look at our life and think we are beyond salvation.  That is a misguided and erroneous statement of hopelessness.  Our Lord helps us overcome even that.  We know of remarkable changes in people’s lives in scripture.  But outside of scripture there are likely examples we can think of. Those seemingly in hopeless situations find the way to turn their life around by their acceptance and obedience to our Lord.  That’s His promise and a promise we can count on.  That is the hope Jesus offers.

Be ready to change because you will be!  Any encounter with Jesus is a life changing event.  For some, it is a rejection of Jesus, but a change none-the-less.  Sadly, their resolve to reject our Lord is reenforced.  Thankfully, for many, it is the beginning of a wonderful journey to hope.  

Jesus did not force change upon Zacchaeus, but when Zacchaeus met Him, his life was changed forever.  The change was brought about by association that began as Zacchaeus sought Jesus and Jesus looked up to him.  This often-repeated pattern is an effort made, an effort recognized, and a life changed.  

Jesus does not force change upon us.  Rather, He warmly and lovingly invites us to place our burdens on Him (Matthew 11:28-30).  I purposefully selected this passage because it is recorded by Matthew, another tax collector who found hope in Jesus.  These words would mean everything to him, and they would come to mean everything to Zacchaeus.

In the event with Zacchaeus, those that knew who and what Zacchaeus was grumbled that Jesus would associate with him, the tax collector.  That did not stop Zacchaeus.  He was ready to change and saw the opportunity.  His readiness and willingness to change were rewarded.  Zacchaeus seized the day and climbed out on a limb.

We do not know the rest of the story of Zacchaeus.  The conversations between him and Matthew would have been wonderful to hear.  We can wonder if Zacchaeus and Matthew shared stories of their previous life and their life after meeting Jesus.  We can wonder if Zacchaeus later became a leader in the community of faith as he related the day Jesus spent at his home. 

Can you find a way to use your special and perhaps challenging life situation to help others find hope?  What story will you tell?  Will you tell of your encounter with our Lord as you see others with the same needs?  Will you rejoice with others who also found hope? 

Zacchaeus’ life was changed because he sought out Jesus to learn more of Him.  When he met Jesus he responded to the Lord’s request to spend the day with him.  It would forever change Zacchaeus from one hopeless to one full of hope.