The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial)
Zacchaeus . . . was seeking to see who Jesus was. (Luke 19:2, 3)
There’s a lot of seeking and looking going on in this story. First, Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree because he was “seeking to see who Jesus was” (Luke 19:3). Then Jesus looks up at Zacchaeus and invites himself to the man’s house. Then, having heard Zacchaeus declare his intention to change his life, Jesus declares that he has come “to seek and to save what was lost” (19:10).
Both Jesus and Zacchaeus were seeking each other out, but with different intentions. Zacchaeus wasn’t trying to make contact with Jesus. He just wanted to see him, but he was too short. There are plenty of other people in Luke’s Gospel who either cry out to Jesus or interrupt his dinner or reach out and grab his robe (Luke 17:11-19; 7:36-38; 8:43-44). Zacchaeus could have taken any of these approaches. Instead, he chose a hiding place that would give him a good, but safe, view. We don’t know if he was just curious, if he felt too sinful to meet Jesus, or if he was some kind of celebrity watcher trying to get a glimpse of this famous rabbi.
But where Zacchaeus was “seeking to see,” Jesus had come “to seek and to save” (Luke 19:3, 10). Zacchaeus wanted to stay at a safe distance, but Jesus wanted to be close to him. Zacchaeus wanted to disappear into the crowd, but Jesus wanted to single him out and spend time with him.
And look what happened! Simply by standing in Jesus’ presence, Zacchaeus was moved from wanting to see him to wanting to follow him. He was so changed that he “received him with joy” (Luke 19:6).
Zacchaeus shows us what happens when we open the door to Jesus just a little bit. He invites himself in and softens our hearts. He soothes our fears. He moves us to confess our sins and feel the freedom of his love. He doesn’t call us a “sinner” but a spiritual “descendant of Abraham” (Luke 19:7, 9).
Jesus has the power to change our lives. He wants to change our lives. He is eager to change our lives. Even the smallest glimpse from us is enough for him to come and touch our hearts. Isn’t this a comforting message?
“Here I am, Lord!”
2 Maccabees 6:18-31
Psalm 3:2-7
Daily Marriage Tip for November 21, 2017:
“But of that day or hour, no one knows…” (Mk 13:32) Death is not something most people like to think about, but it is inevitable and indeed we don’t know “the day or hour.” Don’t avoid talking about your deaths – even if you’re young. Each day is a gift and meant to be lived […]