The story of Zacchaeus ... more than meets the eye! Luke 19: 1-10

Luke 19: 1-10 Gospel Reflections for Sunday 31st October

A timely reflection indeed, as we acknowledge this Sunday the amazing contribution almost 500 years ago of Martin Luther in setting Christian thinking back on track.

This little story (an acted parable) packs a punch and as usual there is a surprising twist. I think it actually points out to us in a profound way, that we have not quite taken hold of the significance of the New Covenant, (the new deal) as it was originally intended. In fact, if Jesus was to make another short ministry appearance today, I believe he would be getting stuck into us Christian people and our churches for the way we have constructed a set of rules and conditions to complicate the true Gospel message ... or perhaps we have just unnecessarily retained parts of the old deal. Dare I suggest on the eve of another Reformation Day celebration, that we are again in need of a major reform to set us back on track with what the Gospel in its true and tamper-free form actually says!

Let me try to give some explanation to that by firstly listing some background assumptions  ...

1. God announces through Jeremiah (see Hebrews 8 ) that there is a new deal about to be unfolded, an arrangement that will supersede the old law-based way of operating.
2. Under this new deal, God simply requires us to place our trust in Jesus (confess that Jesus is Lord)
3. Jesus completes his once-for-all work of forgiveness when he announces from the cross that "it is finished" and it is sealed when he bursts free from the tomb.

That sets the scene for the story of Zaccheus. A few observations ...

1. Zaccheus is a tax collector ( hated by the Jews)
2. Zaccheus had a very keen interest in seeing this Jesus fellow
3. Jesus was aware of what was going on with Zaccheus (that he had clambered for a view from a tree)
4. Jesus engages with Zaccheus and invites himself to Zaccheus' house.
5. (The church people were not happy and grumbling as usual.)
6. Zaccheus responds and also offers a half-baked apology for his actions
7. Jesus speaks the words "today salvation has come to this house"

The power-packed punch, comes in that bottom line of the story. What is it from this scene that  prompts Jesus to give an assurance of salvation for Zaccheus?

Zaccheus in a very simple way says "Yes, I trust you Jesus". Zaccheus in effect says '"Yes, I confess that Jesus is Lord". We are given the impression that Zaccheus clearly knows who Jesus is and is keen to see him. When Jesus invites him into his presence (to come down from the tree), Zaccheus "came down at once and welcomed him gladly", (or in another translation ..."Zaccheus hurried down and welcomed him with joy.")

So I believe that this profoundly reiterates the fact that under the New Covenant, God requires us to do just one thing - acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Master.

Is this over-simplifying the gospel? Why not see if this thinking is consistent with some other classic gospel forgiveness stories? (For starters we might like to try: The thief on the cross, The healing of the ten lepers and The lost son!)

Classic Luther really ... saved by the totally undeserved grace of God, who through His unconditional love for us under this new plan, has simply asked us to place our trust and faith in Jesus. So we who (with Zaccheus), have answered the call to come down to street level to welcome Jesus and receive him into our lives, can celebrate the fact that salvation has already come to our house!

As leaders in Lutheran Schools we are called and challenged to make sure that we keep it simple ... Jesus says trust me ... that's the deal. Has main-stream Christianity kept the Gospel that simple? I suspect that we have some marsh-land to reclaim!

Nev