The late Johnny Cash is known internationally as the greatest country singer of all time. In fact, more than forty years after his debut on Sun Records (with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis), Johnny Cash was still used by a number of companies as a “spokesman” for their products. In the early days, however, Cash found that his rise to stardom brought more than fame and fortune. It brought problems. While he was rising in the charts, with gold records being added to his collection, his personal life was falling apart. Show business pressures soon drove him to take pep pills, and soon he was addicted. His first arrest came in 1965, when he was caught holding more than one thousand pills. He went from a healthy 200 pounds to 140 pounds. The side effects of the drugs he took caused him to have a severe car accident in which he sustained several broken bones and a concussion. Then on May 9, 1971, Johnny Cash sat in a pew of a small church in his hometown. The pastor finished his sermon and appealed to the congregation to come to the Lord and make things right with God. Johnny Cash stood up and walked up to the wooden alter that day and surrendered.
For Johnny Cash, seeking his own fame and fortune did not fulfill him. He wasn’t happy. In fact, all of it made him difficult to be around when the drugs took over. He ostracized himself from his friends and even his family. He forfeited his soul for the sake of fame and fortune. Something was missing. Something wasn’t right. He was looking for something more.
Zacchaeus found himself in similar straits. As an ambitious young man, he went to the big city to gain his fortune and happiness. As a tax collector for the Roman Empire, Zacchaeus did indeed gain great fame and fortune. He worked hard every day to collect the most taxes he could. He was the first one in the office in the morning and the last one to leave at night. He was obsessed with getting rich and was drunk with the power that comes from working as a tax collector.
This is where we find Jesus. He is making his final trip to Jerusalem from the Galilee. He traveled the main trading route that ran parallel to the Jordan River to Jericho and beyond. Jericho stood at a major crossroads. It commanded both the route to Jerusalem and the crossing of the Jordan River which gave access to the lands east of the Jordan. And because of their location, Jericho was a very wealthy, powerful and important town. It had a great palm forest and world-famous balsam groves which perfumed the air for miles around. It had many gardens of roses which were known far and wide. It was called "The City of Palms".
Because of the great wealth the town generated, it was also heavily taxed by the Roman Empire. The Romans outsourced the tax collecting to local entrepreneurs like Zacchaeus. Each tax collector had a certain amount to collect for Rome and anything above and beyond that was for the tax collector. Tax collectors could collect as much as they wanted, as long as Rome received their part. Because of this tax collectors became very wealthy.
Now Zaccheaus had worked his way up and had gained favor with Rome. So much so that he became the chief tax collector for that region. Not only did he get rich from collecting taxes, but he also had tax collectors working for him, from whom he possibly received a cut of what they collected. Zaccheaus finds himself at the top of the heap, king of the hill, the big kahuna, Big Poppi. He is on top of the world. He has all this great wealth at his disposal. Imagine the parties he could have, the fine clothes he wore and the rich food he ate, a condo in Jerusalem, vacations to the Mediterranean coast, a bigger house and nicer cars. He's the top dog in one of the wealthiest cities around and loving' it. Or is he?
There is a problem here.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, in Jericho liked Zacchaeus.
He had reached the top of his profession, and he was the most hated man in Jericho. He gained the whole world, but had forfeited his soul. His graft and greed had filled his pockets at the expense of his own countrymen. With Zacchaeus in charge, he and his fellow tax collectors became wealthier while the poor and the outcast had next to nothing. The people of his district watched as Zacchaeus’ house became more lavishly decorated, as more slaves ran about at his bidding, as he purchased whatever his heart desired. Everyone knew that this was their money and they he had no right to it; everyone knew that there was nothing they could do about it.
That is until Jesus came through the town. He saw straight through the layers of graft and greed, of callous contempt for his fellow citizens. And after that everything changed.
Zacchaeus was wealthy, but he was not happy. He was lonely. He had chosen the path in life that isolated him from others. Wealth and power can do that to us. He’s alone and he’s hurting and is looking for answers. More and more we as a society experience isolation and aloneness to the point that it takes a toll on our spiritual well-being. Mother Teresa once said, “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or cancer. It’s the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted, of being deserted and alone”. We were created not to be self-reliant creatures, but rather to be in relationship with a community. So many people in our lives and in our town are searching for something more, something true, and something that provides answers and poses challenging questions. Zacchaeus heard about this Jesus character who was friends with tax collectors and sinners. Perhaps, Zacchaeus wondered, he would have a moment to have a word with him to get answers. He was searching after the love of God.
Zacchaeus is determined to see Jesus and would let nothing stop him. How do we stand up for what we believe in the face of so many who mock it and have contempt for Christ? What are we looking for when we come to worship on Sunday mornings? For Zacchaeus to walk through crowds of people is a courageous thing to do. How many residents would take the opportunity to kick, nudge, or push the little tax collector. It was certainly an opportunity to get back at Zacchaeus and the crowd took great delight in it. He’d be black and blue by the time he rounded the corner from his neighborhood. And on this day, because he was short, he couldn’t see what was happening and the crowd took great pleasure in making sure of that. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree so he could see as if he were a little child. Things were not easy for Zacchaeus but the little man had the courage of desperation. Zacchaeus had gone up a tree seeking Jesus, but it was Jesus who came seeking Zacchaeus. "The Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost," says Jesus, and showing up in the house of this tiny tax collector demonstrated to everyone in the crowd that those who are lost, hurting, and alone were the ones Jesus was and is seeking. The salvation that Jesus offers changes Zacchaeus' life through and through, and, as a result, it benefits those around him.
Zacchaeus took steps to show all the community that he was a changed man. When Jesus announced that he would stay that day at his house, and when he discovered that he had found a new and wonderful friend, Zacchaeus immediately made his decision. His restitution went far beyond what was legally necessary. He decided to give half of his goods to the poor; the other half he did not intend to keep to himself but used to make restitution for the frauds of which he was guilty. The law of Moses states that if a robbery is a deliberate act of destruction, then a four-fold restitution was necessary (Exodus 22:1). If it was an ordinary robbery and the stolen good were not restorable, double the value had to be paid (Exodus 22:4,7). If a voluntary confession was made and voluntary restitution offered, the value of the original goods had to be paid, plus one-fifth (Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:7). Zacchaeus was determined to do far more than the law demanded. He showed by his deeds that he was a changed man. Actions speak louder than words. A testimony is worth nothing unless it is backed up by actions that demonstrate ones sincerity. It is not merely the changing of ones words Jesus is demanding, but a changed life; a life transformed from the inside out by the grace and love of God in Christ. And when Zacchaeus is saved, the whole community benefits.
Jesus came looking for people who were lost. Indeed, we've all been “up a tree” ever since that day in the garden when our spiritual ancestors went looking for something other than God (Genesis 3). Jesus has come to invite us down, to offer us a new life, to live lives that reflect the kind of healing, wholeness and salvation his kingdom brings. And once we have encountered Jesus, once we have accepted his invitation, then we are to invite others to lives that are firmly grounded in his grace.
Who do you know who's lost right now? Maybe it's that single mom in your neighborhood who is trying to hold down a job and care for a couple of kids. Maybe it's that elderly person who sits alone in McDonald’s and whom no one notices. Perhaps it's that guy at work who struggles with an addiction, or the kid who has been abandoned by his parents. Chances are there are lots of people around you every day who are lost and need to be found.
We often feel that what we have to offer is insignificant, that it doesn’t add up to much, and that it doesn’t make an impact. So we hoard what we have, we hold tight, we clutch to our possessions, our family, our friends and our assets with an incredible grip. But it’s simply not true. We have all received the ultimate tax refund in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We have the Good News to share with others and we are to use are resources to make this a reality.
Can we be the church that follows Jesus' example, and invites them to dinner, to a conversation, to a new way of life? Oh, it's still a major social faux pas to invite ourselves to dinner at their house. Only Jesus can get away with that! But every one of us has the opportunity to invest ourselves in someone else's life, offering them the kind of grace and love that Jesus has offered us. And when we invest ourselves in others, that investment often translates to fruit that benefits not just us as an individual and as a church, but it benefits the whole community. When the lost and lonely begin to come through our doors, we begin to see the kingdom of God at hand.
For Johnny Cash, seeking his own fame and fortune did not fulfill him. He wasn’t happy. In fact, all of it made him difficult to be around when the drugs took over. He ostracized himself from his friends and even his family. He forfeited his soul for the sake of fame and fortune. Something was missing. Something wasn’t right. He was looking for something more.
I.
Zacchaeus found himself in similar straits. As an ambitious young man, he went to the big city to gain his fortune and happiness. As a tax collector for the Roman Empire, Zacchaeus did indeed gain great fame and fortune. He worked hard every day to collect the most taxes he could. He was the first one in the office in the morning and the last one to leave at night. He was obsessed with getting rich and was drunk with the power that comes from working as a tax collector.
This is where we find Jesus. He is making his final trip to Jerusalem from the Galilee. He traveled the main trading route that ran parallel to the Jordan River to Jericho and beyond. Jericho stood at a major crossroads. It commanded both the route to Jerusalem and the crossing of the Jordan River which gave access to the lands east of the Jordan. And because of their location, Jericho was a very wealthy, powerful and important town. It had a great palm forest and world-famous balsam groves which perfumed the air for miles around. It had many gardens of roses which were known far and wide. It was called "The City of Palms".
Because of the great wealth the town generated, it was also heavily taxed by the Roman Empire. The Romans outsourced the tax collecting to local entrepreneurs like Zacchaeus. Each tax collector had a certain amount to collect for Rome and anything above and beyond that was for the tax collector. Tax collectors could collect as much as they wanted, as long as Rome received their part. Because of this tax collectors became very wealthy.
Now Zaccheaus had worked his way up and had gained favor with Rome. So much so that he became the chief tax collector for that region. Not only did he get rich from collecting taxes, but he also had tax collectors working for him, from whom he possibly received a cut of what they collected. Zaccheaus finds himself at the top of the heap, king of the hill, the big kahuna, Big Poppi. He is on top of the world. He has all this great wealth at his disposal. Imagine the parties he could have, the fine clothes he wore and the rich food he ate, a condo in Jerusalem, vacations to the Mediterranean coast, a bigger house and nicer cars. He's the top dog in one of the wealthiest cities around and loving' it. Or is he?
There is a problem here.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, in Jericho liked Zacchaeus.
He had reached the top of his profession, and he was the most hated man in Jericho. He gained the whole world, but had forfeited his soul. His graft and greed had filled his pockets at the expense of his own countrymen. With Zacchaeus in charge, he and his fellow tax collectors became wealthier while the poor and the outcast had next to nothing. The people of his district watched as Zacchaeus’ house became more lavishly decorated, as more slaves ran about at his bidding, as he purchased whatever his heart desired. Everyone knew that this was their money and they he had no right to it; everyone knew that there was nothing they could do about it.
That is until Jesus came through the town. He saw straight through the layers of graft and greed, of callous contempt for his fellow citizens. And after that everything changed.
II.
Zacchaeus was wealthy, but he was not happy. He was lonely. He had chosen the path in life that isolated him from others. Wealth and power can do that to us. He’s alone and he’s hurting and is looking for answers. More and more we as a society experience isolation and aloneness to the point that it takes a toll on our spiritual well-being. Mother Teresa once said, “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or cancer. It’s the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted, of being deserted and alone”. We were created not to be self-reliant creatures, but rather to be in relationship with a community. So many people in our lives and in our town are searching for something more, something true, and something that provides answers and poses challenging questions. Zacchaeus heard about this Jesus character who was friends with tax collectors and sinners. Perhaps, Zacchaeus wondered, he would have a moment to have a word with him to get answers. He was searching after the love of God.
III.
Zacchaeus is determined to see Jesus and would let nothing stop him. How do we stand up for what we believe in the face of so many who mock it and have contempt for Christ? What are we looking for when we come to worship on Sunday mornings? For Zacchaeus to walk through crowds of people is a courageous thing to do. How many residents would take the opportunity to kick, nudge, or push the little tax collector. It was certainly an opportunity to get back at Zacchaeus and the crowd took great delight in it. He’d be black and blue by the time he rounded the corner from his neighborhood. And on this day, because he was short, he couldn’t see what was happening and the crowd took great pleasure in making sure of that. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree so he could see as if he were a little child. Things were not easy for Zacchaeus but the little man had the courage of desperation. Zacchaeus had gone up a tree seeking Jesus, but it was Jesus who came seeking Zacchaeus. "The Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost," says Jesus, and showing up in the house of this tiny tax collector demonstrated to everyone in the crowd that those who are lost, hurting, and alone were the ones Jesus was and is seeking. The salvation that Jesus offers changes Zacchaeus' life through and through, and, as a result, it benefits those around him.
IV.
Zacchaeus took steps to show all the community that he was a changed man. When Jesus announced that he would stay that day at his house, and when he discovered that he had found a new and wonderful friend, Zacchaeus immediately made his decision. His restitution went far beyond what was legally necessary. He decided to give half of his goods to the poor; the other half he did not intend to keep to himself but used to make restitution for the frauds of which he was guilty. The law of Moses states that if a robbery is a deliberate act of destruction, then a four-fold restitution was necessary (Exodus 22:1). If it was an ordinary robbery and the stolen good were not restorable, double the value had to be paid (Exodus 22:4,7). If a voluntary confession was made and voluntary restitution offered, the value of the original goods had to be paid, plus one-fifth (Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:7). Zacchaeus was determined to do far more than the law demanded. He showed by his deeds that he was a changed man. Actions speak louder than words. A testimony is worth nothing unless it is backed up by actions that demonstrate ones sincerity. It is not merely the changing of ones words Jesus is demanding, but a changed life; a life transformed from the inside out by the grace and love of God in Christ. And when Zacchaeus is saved, the whole community benefits.
V.
Jesus came looking for people who were lost. Indeed, we've all been “up a tree” ever since that day in the garden when our spiritual ancestors went looking for something other than God (Genesis 3). Jesus has come to invite us down, to offer us a new life, to live lives that reflect the kind of healing, wholeness and salvation his kingdom brings. And once we have encountered Jesus, once we have accepted his invitation, then we are to invite others to lives that are firmly grounded in his grace.
Who do you know who's lost right now? Maybe it's that single mom in your neighborhood who is trying to hold down a job and care for a couple of kids. Maybe it's that elderly person who sits alone in McDonald’s and whom no one notices. Perhaps it's that guy at work who struggles with an addiction, or the kid who has been abandoned by his parents. Chances are there are lots of people around you every day who are lost and need to be found.
We often feel that what we have to offer is insignificant, that it doesn’t add up to much, and that it doesn’t make an impact. So we hoard what we have, we hold tight, we clutch to our possessions, our family, our friends and our assets with an incredible grip. But it’s simply not true. We have all received the ultimate tax refund in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We have the Good News to share with others and we are to use are resources to make this a reality.
Can we be the church that follows Jesus' example, and invites them to dinner, to a conversation, to a new way of life? Oh, it's still a major social faux pas to invite ourselves to dinner at their house. Only Jesus can get away with that! But every one of us has the opportunity to invest ourselves in someone else's life, offering them the kind of grace and love that Jesus has offered us. And when we invest ourselves in others, that investment often translates to fruit that benefits not just us as an individual and as a church, but it benefits the whole community. When the lost and lonely begin to come through our doors, we begin to see the kingdom of God at hand.
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