Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-30
“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” v. 5b
Jesus is the stranger in this story. Jesus is in Jericho, which is home to Zacchaeus, the chef tax collector and, therefore, a rich man. He’s gotten rich by casting his lot with the occupiers of Israel. His community sees him as a traitor.
Zacchaeus knows enough about Jesus to arouse his curiosity at least. He knows enough that he’s willing to climb a tree to see. Who is this stranger, really? Seeing Zacchaeus in the tree, Jesus, the stranger, demands hospitality. “I’m going to your house today.” The story tells us that Zacchaeus happily welcomed Jesus. We might wonder how glad his household was for the extra mouths, but they probably took it in stride as just part of the rules of Mideastern hospitality.
The presence of this stranger changes Zacchaeus’ life. At the table where he welcomes the stranger, he promises to operate his business in a different way. He will make amends for his past, treat people fairly in the present, and become a generous person in his future. The power and promises of God work though the presence of a stranger welcomed into his home, his friendship circle, his economic life.
Again, in Matthew 25, Jesus says that when we welcome the stranger who is among “the least of these,” we welcome him. The stranger is a gift to us. Can we thank God for the gift? Who is the person demanding to come to our house, our church, our community? How will they change our lives when we offer hospitality? Living as we do in the shadow of the cross and in light of the resurrection, what shape does our life take as we consider the past, present and future?
PRAY: God of all peoples, when Ruth, a citizen of Moab, immigrated with her mother-in-law to Israel, the community welcomed her, and she found a home. Help us to be a welcoming community to the immigrants among us who bring their talents and cultures to deepen our common humanity. Amen.
FAST: By reaching out to a stranger in your community.
ACT: Set aside a letter or card to express your own views on the status of refugees, immigrants, or asylum seekers
OR $1 for World Hunger Appeal refugee projects.
...the least of these... 