Tax collectors – No one likes tax collectors; just ask someone’s opinions of the IRS – I doubt they will like them. No one likes paying taxes, no matter how essential taxes may be. However, tax collectors were particularly hated by the Jewish people. It was not just that they collected taxes - They were seen as traitorous - collecting taxes for a conquering empire – the Romans.
On top of that, tax collectors in Roman times were not exactly the most honest people – they were wealthy, but a lot of that wealth came from extortion. The tax collector was required to collect a certain amount and turn that over to the Romans. Anything more he managed to collect – well, he got to keep that. As such, they were always trying to extract as much tax as possible, even if it was more than what was legally owed. When tax collectors were called sinners, it was because they were.
And here we have Zacchaeus – not just a tax collector – but a chief tax collector – the big boss and very wealthy. – The people would have thought of him as a great sinner and a traitor to the people – he was not one who received a lot of sympathy.
And here comes Jesus down the road –stories have flown through town – the guy who does miracles – the blind see, the crimpled walk – he is, throwing out demons – Everyone wants to see him – They are curious and want to experience the novelty – something exciting and spectacular – what will Jesus do now? – Zacchaeus, chief tax collector he may be, is no different.
He, too, wants to see Jesus – and his wealth has not helped him here. – The crowd makes no room for him – he is pushed aside and is unable to see – But his curiosity wins, he wants to see this man called Jesus – here is something novel – a person who might be exciting, bringing a spectacle – he wants to see this mysterious Jesus – and he will do whatever it takes – including climbing a tree, something that was not considered very dignified, all just to get a glimpse of this Jesus.
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Are we all that different from Zacchaeus? Though it is always tempting to not report some cash income to the IRS, we are not usually extorting people on their taxes – Further, None of us are working for a hated conquering empire – But it is easy to be searching for a glimpse of things in curiosity and looking for spectacle.
The lines people will wait in to get the last few seats, way up high behind with an obstructed view, to see a given band in concert or a sports team. – What some people do to see the Super Bowl. The crowds seek to see a parade after a team wins a championship – climbing on balconies to get a view. Others wait hours to see something as simple as the Stanley Cup – some anonymous priest may or may not have done that in high school when Martin St Louis brought the Cup to Burlington.
In Berkley, California, there is a hill called Tightwad Hill – it overlooks California Memorial Stadium, and it is high enough to see over the stands – people climb the hill to watch the game when they either could not get or afford tickets to the game.
And see the crowds that come out when any Pope visits a country. People clamor to get a sight of this odd person – one wearing white – who wears a weird hat, one who holds the titles “Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the servants of God.”
But often, it is all a search for a glimpse in curiosity and of the spectacle – many trying to get a look do not believe at all – the search is not of faith – not searching out Christ and his Church – in many ways, we are not all that different than Zacchaeus – it is easy to look out of curiosity and look spectacle.
But Christ had a different plan for Zacchaeus – Zacchaeus the great sinner and chief tax collector - While Zacchaeus thinks he is looking to get a glimpse of the spectacle that is Christ – Christ is looking for Zacchaeus! Not to appease his curiosity but to call him to conversion. – Christ wants to bring something far more significant – conversion, the forgiveness of sins, and salvation.
We are often looking for excitement, novelty, or spectacle – but in many ways, it is not so much us looking for Christ, but Christ looking for us. – And Jesus will use any means to reach us, including our own misdirected ambitions. – Our looking for the wrong things in curiosity.
Zacchaeus may have been looking out of curiosity and looking for something exciting – but Christ was looking for him – called him. – And, great sinner though he might have been – Zacchaeus answered Christ – repented – Turning from his sinful ways, but he repented and turned to Christ – Salvation came to his house. No matter how great a sinner he might have been, he, too, was a descendant of Abraham. Christ came to save the lost – and one Lost – Zacchaeus - was saved.
We may not be great sinners, but Christ also comes for us as well – do we listen? Do we respond as Zacchaeus did? Or do we stay focused on looking for something exciting, novel – always looking for a spectacle? Let us ask for the grace to respond as Zacchaeus did.