Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hi there, dear people on the list.

I checked it out—I’ve not composed a fresh original since the 29th of May. I finally broke that dry spell with this little spiel this morning that Becki approves. We talked about it some on our walk/jog.

It’s time to get out there and let some of the stuff pushing me push me. Both sign work and saw work are on the list.

Blessings on your day. Love, Dad/Ray.

We already know that being a tax collector in Israel on behalf of the Roman government was a despised vocation within that Jewish society—perhaps on a par with being a traitor. But it was also a position of opportunity to feed greed—which could motivate one to accept the social stigma in favor of all the financial benefits that stigma would yield. It paid off for Zacchaeus—“He was a chief tax collector and was wealthy” (v.2).

It only stands to reason that Zack had heard things about Jesus that made him want “to see who Jesus was”—maybe just curious to see what He looked like—and just anonymously observe Him from a distance. He must not have spent much of his wealth gorging in all-you-can-eat restaurants because he actually climbed that tree without a ladder. The account offers no indication that he wanted to meet Jesus up close and personal. It had to be a shock to his entire system to have the entire procession stop under the tree where Zack was perched with Jesus looking up and speaking to him personally—causing thoughts to explode in his mind like bombs—“Am I dreaming? Did this renown Jesus actually address me by my own name? He doesn’t know me from Adam—or does He? How could…? He wants to come to my house?—stigma and all? Why would…?”

Good news—He does know you from Adam. In spite of the millions and billions of souls inhabiting planet earth since Adam, He knows you not only by name, but knows you completely—and loves you anyway. Is that not an awesome mind-exploding thought?—especially if it’s true? Bank on it—if the Bible is true, that IS true.

There is some implicit good advice here: Don’t be so caught up and preoccupied with hanging out in your tree that you miss the knock at your door. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Please follow Zacchaeus, not by being crooked and rich, but by living in awe with your personal life-changing relationship with Jesus (God).