November 15, 2022

Luke 19:1-10

St. Luke has had Jesus on a long journey to Jerusalem. Along the way Jesus has made disciples and lost disciples. Life has had its ups and downs but onward Jesus goes to meet his future. This life does not seem to wait for anyone it just keeps going.

Anyway, the last disciple and I dare say the biggest and most enthusiastic disciple Jesus makes as he treks towards Jerusalem is Zaccheaus. You remember him as the greedy tax collector but actually he is the epitome of discipleship. Look he gives half his property to the poor and pays back four times over if he has cheated anyone. Can any of the disciples say they did that?

What is interesting in this story is what is missed in the English translation. In English it appears as if Zach starts giving to the poor and to those he has cheated after he meets Jesus. But in the original language it is not that clear cut. He says “I give half my property to the poor..” it could be that he starts this behavior after meeting Jesus or he has been doing it but no one notices. People have already made up their minds about him. No matter what he has been doing, it won’t change what they think. This is why I love scripture. If you do things so others can see you and approve of you, you will find a multitude for whom you can never do right. So what is the message??? Don’t stick around waiting for approval from folks. They are buried in their own issues. However God knows what you do and that is enough.

Stop please stop trying to convince people who have already made up their minds about you. God is the only one we should seek approval from. By the way, didn’t Jesus a few chapters back say it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven? Well Mr Zach is showing us that with Gods help all is possible.

Hey keep doing the good you do!! Love you!!!