Reviled, But Accepted 

Ever feel like your relationship with God is at a stand still? That you once expierenced Him, but that moment is turning into a fading memory? Then from that, you start doubting yourself because clearly there must be something wrong with you, right? You go to church, you don’t really feel anything during the worship service, the sermon is boring. This stress on top of feeling pressured either by others or yourself to look and present yourself a certain way – it just leaves you feeling, well, exhausted.

The normal response to feeling like this is to blame everyone else. Right away you just read that sentence and subconsciously thought, “well, that isn’t me.” But is it? I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people at church conferences and different events talk about how cool it is when folks get into worship services or how cool of an experience it is when people get into sermons with applause and vocal responses. Then Sunday, they show up at their home churches like someone poured water on their firewood. The reason? “Well, I don’t see others doing it. I don’t want to be a distraction.” Do we ever think though that our response might effect someone else’s in an effective way? That maybe you being tuned in might direct someone to do the same? Why do we waste time spectating and waiting for others to step out while we sit on our hands doing nothing? Your lack of experiencing God isn’t God’s fault; that’s a given. But it really isn’t other people’s fault either.

I know, harsh right? But here’s where I draw this conclusion: Zaccheus. Yes, the guy ever labeled by people’s childhood as the “wee little man.” If that’s all you know about him or know nothing about the guy, let’s all get on the same page and be honest – we know nothing about him. So who is Zaccheus? Well, he’s mentioned by Luke who is one of four writers in the Bible to give an account to the life, death and eventual resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unlike other stories that are intertwined throughout the four books, also known as the Gospels, Luke is the only writer to mention Zaccheus.  So what did Zaccheus do that would earn him a spot in four of the most talked about books ever written, earning him a song sang in every Children’s Church since 1906?

I was first told Zaccheus’ story was one of what repentance can do to an individual’s life. That he was once this evil tax collector (the cheif actually), but after climbing in a tree just to see over the crowd that was gathered to see the Messiah, Jesus calls out Zaccheus to get down out of the tree because He’s coming to his house. Jesus changed him and he gave half of his stuff to the poor.

All that sounds great and it’ll preach. How truthful is it? When Zaccheus meets with Jesus after coming down from the tree he says in the 19th chapter of The Gospel of Luke, “‬Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” I did some researching and check this out: Since this was originally written in Kione Greek, the Greek verb tense could imply that Zaccheus always did give to the poor and if he made an accounting error he actually restores it fourfold just to be fair. In this reading, he is not the repentant sinner who did bad things and changed his ways. He is a man reviled, but accepted. See, because he was the chief tax collector of a corrupt government, that title carried with it a sour taste in the mouth of the locals. He was likely a thief, just like the rest of the tax collectors. And he’s the chief? Oh, it’s a done deal. Don’t you hate it when someone marginalizes you by your occupation, gender, religion, orientation, race, last name and to make matters worse judge you for it?

That would fit Luke’s Gospel message if you read the whole thing. It’s the Roman centurion who has great faith, the Good Samaritan who is the true neighbor, the woman wiping Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair who understands his mission, and the Samaritan leper who has gratitude. The saints are hidden and unexpected, but why? Why is it always a surprise with all these stories? Because Zaccheus and countless others are judged by their covers by those who take advantage of organized religion.

Zacheeus knew if it was up to everyone else, he could never experience Christ. Not just by his size, but he wasn’t who everyone else counted as someone Christ would use much less want to spend any time with. It was like all of these disconnected people were trying to show him how to be connected.  Think about it… if all those people gathered on the street that day had any connection to Christ, they’d be following Him, not spectating from the side of the road as He walks by. Zaccheus found himself a place in a tree so that he could see Jesus which is laughable because Jesus doesn’t have to see you to “see” you. But Jesus calls him out from the crowd and says, that He’s on His way to his house. See what spectating gets you? You get to watch as Jesus goes home with someone else that isn’t you. For many people Jesus exists in the building you gather in. They do their best to shine bright at (insert church address), but hide their light everywhere else. Don’t let those disconnected try to tell you how to connect. Don’t let them prevent you from experiencing Him. You may not walk, talk or act like every porcelain Christian out there, and that’s ok. He made you to be you – to be unique. To be loud, to be quiet, to be funny, to be awkward. Whatever it is that people assume Jesus can’t use, read your Bible. Read every conversation Jesus ever had. They’re easy to find because His quotes are red. More importantly, look at the people He talks to. He doesn’t just talk to “the lowest of the low.” Jesus also spends time with good people often dismissed by a stuck up religious society too devoted to their traditions.

If your relationship feels like it’s at a stand still, don’t give up. Wait knowing that soon you’re gonna see God work again. I know it feels impossible to just wait. Gosh, just the idea makes my stomach turn. Your uniqueness is what makes you beautiful so don’t give into the pressures to be like everyone else. Take responsibility for yourself. If you’re lacking an experience in worship, to what lengths are you willing to go to experience Him?  Are you serving Him when no one’s looking? While others may assume you’re one way, does it stop you from your pursuit in fulfilling what God’s purpose is in your life? It is no ones job in the Church to tell you who to be. Only one person has that authority and He died on a cross for you. You see, proper perspective brings proper priority. When you know the source, it helps put things in it’s proper place. Zaccheus knew who he was. He knew his purpose despite what others around him assumed. He stopped at nothing to see Christ and was blessed richly. Jesus called him out by name. Keep in mind Zaccheus didn’t exactly introduce himself. He calls you by name too. He has a purpose for you too. Never lose hope in that. Ever. You maybe reviled by some, but you’re accepted in His eyes.

Signing out for now. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for reading.