"Can I Come Home With You?"

 Luke 19:1-10 

Love this story!  Most of you who grew up in Sunday School probably remember this story from there.  Learning about Zacchaeus up in the sycamore tree... trying to get a glimpse of Jesus.   And maybe you remember the children's song:  

Zaccheus was a wee, little man
And a wee, little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see

And as the Savior came that way
He looked up in the tree
And he said,
"Zaccheus, you come down from there"
For I'm going to your house today
For I'm going to your house today

The children's version misses the point, but we still remember singing it.  But what we miss in the children's story is who Zacchaeus is in the eyes of his community.   He is a rich tax collector and the people, many of whom struggle to survive on very little, can't believe that Jesus would hang out with the rich.  They feel that they have been robbed by this man and that he is a sinner.

But Jesus doesn't care who he is. Or what he's done or is accused of doing. He just calls out to him and says "Today is my day to be a guest in your house."  This transforms Zacchaeus.  He is overwhelmed and says he will give half his income to the poor and pay back four times what he took if he cheats. Jesus calling to him and inviting himself over to his house transformed everything about what Zacchaeus thought he was or could be.

What does it mean to feel accepted?  What does it mean to fit in when everyone else has kept you out? So much to explore with Zacchaeus and Jesus here.

Thoughts? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment below.  :)