The Biblical story of Zacchaeus is an interesting episode to explore. It is about a man who climbed a tree when the crowd gathered to see Jesus. He climbed a tree and most people have assumed that he climbed the tree because he was small. I know I have preached sermons on the 19th Chapter of Luke and have said that he climbed a tree because he couldn't see over the people in the crowd.
The more I've thought about that I've come to a different conclusion. I think he climbed the tree because he was afraid to be in the crowd. He was a Jewish man who was a tax collector. He collected taxes from his people for the Romans and he was seen as a traitor. More than that, it is speculated he was dishonest. He was a rich man. He was in charge of tax collections.
I think Zacchaeus was a small man who got himself in a high place but I don't think it had to do with his physical stature. It had to do with his self-image. He didn't think well of himself up there in the tree and Jesus saw him there. He was a small person in a high place.
There are a lot of small people in high places who aren't feeling so good about themselves and Jesus sees them; which is to say, our faith calls out to them/us.
This sermon is about anyone who has a past we are not proud of in one way or another. If we rose to the top of our work what price did we pay and what did we have to do to get there?
Do you know small people in high places?
Do you know why they feel small?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thought click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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