The Downtown Presbyterian Church

Sermons

Standing and Responding

Luke 19:1-10

October 31, 2004

Rev. Kenneth M. Locke

Good morning everyone and welcome to Live in Studio DPC, here at WPLJ, Jericho Public Radio. Our guest this morning is not a singer-songwriter or other performing artist as you might expect but rather a local man who has recently had an experience that has made him the talk of the town. Of course, I am talking about our chief tax collector here in Jericho, Mr. Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, thank you so very much for being with us.

My pleasure, -----. It’s good to be here.

Zacchaeus, I’m sure our listeners all know the experience you had was a meeting with Jesus of Nazareth. But before we get to your meeting itself I wonder if you would tell us something about your own background and how you came to be chief tax collector?

Certainly, -----, I’d be glad to. I grew up reasonably well-off. I learned my catechism and went through the motions of confirmation and semi-regular worship. But really God was always more of a concept to me than a reality. I’m sure many listeners can relate to that.

As I grew older I began taking a dim view of life. Life is difficult at best, I thought. People judge us not by who we are but by our wealth and our success and the clothes we wear.

That’s really why I began working for the Romans. So what if people didn’t like me? The Romans paid well and I made a lot of money and bought all the things everyone said I ought to have if I was going to be happy.

I’m not whining, I’m just saying I’m a lot like everyone else. All I wanted was to have as much as I could and enjoy it before I died. Working for the Romans let me do that.

But, it wasn’t enough. My wealth felt good but it wasn’t satisfying. That’s why I came to see Jesus coming through town. Life wasn’t meaningful and I was looking for something to make it meaningful. I was looking for salvation.

Tell us what happened, if you would, that day Jesus came through.

I got there late and already the crowd was thick. I couldn’t see over them and I couldn’t force my way through so I went further down the street and found a sycamore tree that was low enough to climb. I climbed up and waited.

Wasn’t that kind of a blow to your dignity? You’re our chief tax collector. You’re one of the richest and most powerful men in Jericho and here you are climbing trees like a kid. Was it embarrassing?

Yes, it was embarrassing, but I was desperate. All you listeners out there, ask yourselves – have you ever tried to kick an addiction? Have you ever looked at your spouse and wondered why you got married in the first place? Have you ever wondered if you were ever going to find someone to love? Have you ever realized you loved your job once, but now it’s just health insurance and a retirement plan? Have you ever tried to get people to like you but instead they just despise you?

That’s how I was feeling: cut-off, unloved, resigned to life but wishing there was more. When you’re that desperate, climbing a tree is nothing.

Why don’t you tell us what happened when Jesus stopped under the tree?

Well, of course, I was amazed. But I guess that’s the way it is with Jesus. He told me to come down because he wanted to stay in my house – and I almost fell out of the tree.

I’m a tax-collector. I work for the Romans. Let’s not kid ourselves, I may be rich but I’m also one of the most reviled men in Jericho. Even my relatives won’t eat with me.

But Jesus, Jesus knew my loneliness. Jesus knew how much everyone despises me. Jesus knew how much I despise myself. Jesus knew how much shame I carry. Jesus saw all that and he wanted to be with me anyway. I was amazed.

Jericho was pretty amazed by what happened next.

Yes, I guess so. And I want to make a point here. I didn’t go home and check my bankbook and figure up how much was in my 401(k) and determine exactly how much I could give away without suffering. What I did was spontaneous. Being in the presence of Jesus I felt the overwhelming generosity of God’s love and I just couldn’t help doing the same thing.

I didn’t have to give away all that money. The law doesn’t require it. I did it because I wanted to. I did it because that’s what being with Jesus is like.

You see, I didn’t need the money anymore. I didn’t need the status. There’s nothing so important I want to buy it anymore. Jesus’ love for me took away all that selfishness and insecurity and now I just want to give love the same way he loves me.

Let me make this clear. Lots of people will tell you they know Jesus, but they only know about Jesus. Anyone who really knows Jesus is going to have an overwhelming generosity.

You said earlier that before you met Jesus all your wealth and power was really about searching for salvation. After you talked to Jesus and promised to give away so much money Jesus said that salvation had come to you. What is salvation? Is it about giving money? Is that what we need to do to be saved?

Oh, absolutely not. Salvation is not about money at all. Salvation is about realizing how much God loves us. Salvation is a way of living in response to God’s love.

You see, when Jesus called me, a horrible sinner, by name; when Jesus said he wanted to come and be with me when no one else ever would; I knew then just how much, how overwhelmingly, God loves us. And when I knew it I knew I wanted to respond. God wasn’t making me. I was doing it because I wanted to.

And now I’m going to keep doing it. For the rest of my life I’m going to give just as generously as God is giving love to me. I’m going to give my money and my time and my energy. I’m going to tell people what Jesus is doing for me. I’m going to be just as generous with my love as God is generous with me. I’ve experienced salvation and I’m going to be responding to it the rest of my life.

Mr. Zacchaeus, I’m sorry but we’re almost out of time. Is there anything you want to say to our listeners in closing?

Yes, thank you, there is. And when I’m done I’d like to close with prayer if I may.

Certainly, that would be fine.

----, what I want to say to everyone listening today is God loves you. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, God loves you. I want to say to everyone that no matter how meaningless your life feels, no matter how unhappy you are, God’s love brings meaning to our lives.

In Jesus, God loves us with a love of overwhelming generosity.

And when you stand in the presence of Jesus you too will be touched by God’s generosity and you will want to respond. You will want to share your time and energy and money and skill and patience with others the same way God has shared divine love with you.

This is salvation. Thanks be to God.