Zacchaeus Roundel
A stained glass roundel from the 1500s shows Christ meeting Zacchaeus. The artwork is current part of The Cloisters Collection catalogued by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication)
Nov. 3, 2019 – Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10
When I worked with at-risk youth one of their favorite bible passages was 1 Peter 2:10, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” How transformational to know we are named and claimed; a person of God, a recipient of mercy. It was true for the at-risk youth; it was true for Zacchaeus in this week’s gospel reading. It is still true.
It seems to me a preacher could make an entire sermon series from what is happening in this week’s gospel: Seek; Climb; Named; Hurry; Gladly Welcome; Therefore. I will focus on two: named and therefore.
What’s in a Name?
Naming matters. I knew a parent who laughingly referred to their children as “the idiot, the favorite, and the ugly one.” My heart still cringes in the memory. Even ‘the favorite’ cringed when they heard it. As their pastor, the children would run to me for a hug every Sunday, and I would scoop them up and whisper: “You are God’s beloved: remember!” Naming matters.
Zacchaeus means “pure” “righteous” and we know the Zacchaeus we meet in the beginning of the story is neither. But something is changing. A rich man from a despised class of tax collectors, he runs to see Jesus, climbs a strong growing sycamore tree, its branches low and a crown that can span 120 feet. A perfect place for someone altitudinally challenged to get a better view and perhaps not be seen, although the text does not say he is trying to hide. Scholars don’t know how Jesus knows his name. Does Jesus know it? Or does Jesus claim the name for him, knowing his heart? Like Simon you are now Peter, the rock. Or, was that indeed Zacchaeus’ name and somehow in Christ’s utterance of “Zacchaeus” a change, perhaps a long time coming, grows more full and complete in Zacchaeus’ heart? Naming matters. It is one reason we use inclusive language when we preach, pray, and teach.
Therefore
Zacchaeus’ transformation becomes evident in the Jesus connection made that day. And therefore, he declares, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Four fold was the restitution for an act of robbery.) When we are transformed by the love of God – there is a therefore. We are changed.
Reminder: you are a precious, vital and beloved child of God, always. Not just when you preach a perfect sermon, or get through Ad Board unscathed, or actually make the 15th shut-in call this week. Always – you are beloved and precious and a sacred work of God in progress. Rejoice!
We need to hear that, our vessels get so empty of grace sometimes. So does at least some one in the pew this week – at least one. And one day after it’s heard sincerely spoken enough – it soaks in. And when it does, by the grace of God, there will be born a therefore. A God’s-love-transformed-me-and- therefore is born. And nothing is ever quite the same again. Once we were no people; now we are God’s own people. Once we had not received mercy; now we have received mercy.
The therefore I am working on right now is to be kind in what I think, write and speak to persons I totally and completely disagree with on issues I feel very, very passionate about. Because God requires me to speak my truth, not to change the mind of everyone with whom I believe to be wrong. God requires me to honor the humanity; indeed, the divine image in myself and in them. And it is challenging.
Perhaps it would be helpful for a preacher to share a therefore God is (or has) worked in you along the way. And then lend encouragement to the listener to remember they are beloved; and to prayerfully find the therefore God may be drawing them to today.
Judy Wadding
The Rev. Judy Wadding (Iowa Conference Photo)
The Rev. Judy Wadding is a retired clergy member of the Iowa Annual Conference. "Memo for Those Who Preach" is produced weekly by the Rev. Bill Cotton and his friends and colleagues as a resource for preachers.