Luke 19:1-10
A colleague of mine once told his congregation that each of us is like a house, with a living room where we entertain our thoughts, ideas and goals, and a dark basement where we store the trash like all our regrets and ‘what ifs’. And each house has a balcony with all the people who have influenced and inspired us. The way to celebrate All Saints Day, my friend said, is to step out onto the front lawn and salute the people on your balcony. 1
That image has captivated me and, I invite us to ponder for a few moments this morning the question: Who are our balcony people? If we were to figuratively step out on the front lawns of our imagination and memory, who are the persons who have had and continue to exert a profound influence on our lives? Is there just one person in particular who comes to mind and stands out, or would there be a whole host of folks crowding and overflowing your balcony?
And, by the way, our balcony people do not have to be people who have died. Even though All Saints Day has historically been a time to honor those saints and martyrs of the faith who have already been born into eternal life, no doubt there might be many on our balconies that are very alive right here.
Now, as we think about balcony people, my hunch is that few of us would name Zaccheus as one of them! It’s clear from our morning’s lesson that his fellow Jews certainly wouldn’t. Zaccheus wasn’t just a tax collector; he was a chief tax collector which meant he not only made money from all the taxes he collected from individuals, Zaccheus also probably took a percentage from all the tax collectors who reported to him. As the gospel story succinctly puts it: Zaccheus… ‘was rich’.
No wonder the community was so incensed that Jesus would not only choose to eat with Zaccheus, whose name incidentally means righteous, but also that by his actions, Jesus had the nerve to remind them once again how God cared especially for those shunned by society and religion.
Actually, you could make the case that even though we think the story is about Zaccheus’ change of heart, it’s really more about Jesus and about his immediate response to anyone who is searching, wanting to do deeper in exploring faith, willing to risk even if it means climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of the One who calls us to a fuller and more meaningful life. Whenever you and I follow the yearning to go beyond being a spectator to becoming more deeply engaged, God always reaches out to us without hesitation and without a care for how others think of us or label us.
However, for as much as this story is about Jesus and his loving, freeing response to Zaccheus, there is another way to hear this account than the understanding that many people have of him. In some Bible translations, such as the King James version and the RSV, you will find Zaccheus’ words to Jesus this way: “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I already give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I do give back four times as much.” The Greek can be translated this way as accurately as the way we heard it in the NRSV with Zaccheus promising something in the future. Heard as something he has been doing all along, means that Zaccheus really is ‘a saint that surprises rather than a sinner who repents.’2
In other words, Zaccheus truly is a righteous person, a son of Abraham doing all sorts of good things to make up for a profession he probably inherited but never wanted. Still, his fellow Jews assumed what they knew was right,they never bothered to check their false accusations about his corruption and they demonized Zaccheus. And Jesus’ comment about the Son of Man coming to seek out and save the lost is actually directed at any and all who ‘play tricks in their minds in order to treat one another in a certain prejudiced way.’3
Zaccheus, his welcome by Jesus and the fact that his story challenges us to consider that our judgments about someone might be blatantly wrong is a good metaphor to ponder as we think not just about the saints and our balcony people; but also as we think about all the relationships of which we are a part, and how often our assumptions are misguided, they get in the way, and those assumptions aren’t pleasing to God.
As this is my last Sunday to preach before Cindy begins, and even though I am staying on awhile, I want to share with you a few thoughts that I offer every congregation before the new minister starts.
Dear friends, you will best serve this congregation as you allow your relationships with your new senior minister to unfold with patience, trust, open dialogue and transparent communication. Comparisons with the past aren’t helpful. Do share your cherished traditions, but without the words, ‘we’ve always done it this way’; and be open to new gifts, skills and ideas. They very well might be the Spirit’s leading; don’t assume it is just Cindy wanting to change things.
If you have questions, ask them. If you have concerns, share them honestly and directly and kindly so Cindy, or any of the new staff for that matter, can address them and not read your mind.
Show up for worship, pray for all these new beginnings and wear your nametag! And trust that God is with you every step of this journey – as God has been all along.
I know these last 16 months beginning when Elsa took another call has been a time of change with even more staff transition than expected these past 7 months; and that for some, all this change has been and continues to be stressful. Yet when you think about the length of this congregation’s history, this period is only a moment in time; and just look around you and see the financial health, the vitality and diversity of many ages and the genuine warmth you share. Despite all the change, you are moving from strength to strength; you have called a gifted leader and the present and future hold great promise and excitement!
So, let go of any anxiety and all assumptions. Be bold in your hope, joyous in your welcome, courageous in your outreach, and ground yourself in the peace and assurance ‘that all shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things be well.’4
Amen.
1. The Christian Century Magazine September 21, 2010 an article by John Buchanan
2. Journey with Jesus, 20131028, Dan Clendenin
3. Ibid
4. Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)