Today, Salvation Has Come to This House

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

I remember singing the song of Zacchaeus in Sunday School quite often.  Zacchaeus was a small man, but very wealthy. His stature kept him from seeing Jesus in the crowd, so he climbed up a tree. We might all remember that. But what we might not remember as well is what happened to Zacchaeus. His life was transformed by this encounter with Jesus. Jesus himself called him by name and sought him out. And, he went to his home, despite the fact that Zacchaeus was despised by the people. The man's heart was moved, and he changed his ways because of this one encounter with the love and relationship with Jesus. What was supposed to be a covert observation became a heart-to-heart encounter. Love took away the need to amass wealth, power and control. May we, when we feel the need to gain control, power or great wealth, remember to seek out Jesus.

Wondrous Creator, you seek us out

you know us each by face and name

you imprint us with your love in our hearts

and call us back when we wander far away.

We humans run after wealth and power

hoping it will cure the aching inside us

we try to control every hour of the day

and often lose sight of your loving ways.

Help us be faithful like Zacchaeus today 

humbling ourselves and climbing down

setting all arrogance and attitudes aside

so we might be transformed by your love again. Amen.