Luke 19.1-10, Pentecost 21C
Theme: Humility
In the 19th chapter of Luke, we find Jesus seeing a man in a tree, while teaching a group of people in the city of Jericho. It was a tree standing behind the crowd. That was odd enough seeing a man in a tree, especially a wealthy man in fine clothes. What a strange sight!
According to the story the man, a tax collector, was too short to hear and see Jesus from the back of the crowd. Because he could not see what was going on he had climbed a nearby tree. We even know his name – Zacchaeus.
There are several questions which come to mind as I read this account. First, if he is a wealthy and influential person, why didn’t he just push his way through to the front where he could see what was going on? One answer could have been because he was a tax collector. This profession which was not popular in his society. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself.
Did he really think he would not be seen? I mean, he was a grown man in fine clothe. How could he possibly not draw attention. Was he so curious that he was not thinking?
Well, when Jesus did see him, he didn’t try to ignore the man, but instead stopped his discourse and asked him to come down out of his tree.
Maybe I’m trying to read more into the incident than the author of Luke intended, but, to me the tree represents a timeless symbol. It is symbolizing a barrier. In the case of Zacchaeus, it symbolizes a barrier between him and Jesus. To me, Zacchaeus is using the tree to disguise his guilt and inadequacy. The trouble is his attempt made him even more conspicuous than if he had just pushed through the crowd.
The tree symbolizes our avoidance to attend church when we have done something which has caused conflict. Perhaps we “lost it” in a discussion when our feelings got the best of us. For that reason, we think we are disguising ourselves from unwanted attention. The trouble is, failing to attend, brings more attention to the situation.
In Zacchaeus’s case, Jesus calls the man out. Basically, right in front of the world and all, Jesus says what are you doing up in that tree? Immediately any sense of self dignity the man had has vanished. His guilt and insecurity comes pouring out in front of the whole community. Right there he not only confesses his dishonesty but promises to repay his misdeeds several times over.
What is even more significant is how Jesus responded to Zacchaeus’s confession.
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