This Is What I Give

24th Sunday After Pentecost / All Saints' Sunday

Luke 19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus 

• Do you know what “Zacchaeus” means? “Pure and righteous.”
(Makes me think about the lesson last week in which a tax collector was justified – made righteous...)

Zacchaeus is a tax collector, and not just any TC, but like a TC supervisor, a big cheese. He's got money & power, and also public disdain (in league with the oppressors, as well as unclean, social outcast). TCs not looked upon favorably. Easy to assume he was corrupt, but no evidence really. We don't know if he was corrupt or not.

What DO we know about Zacchaeus? 

He desired to see Jesus. 

He ACTED on that desire. 

And he was known by Jesus.

And after one interaction with Jesus, Z was repentant and humble (important ingredient, remember?) putting action behind his contrition (which I'd consider a spontaneous act of worship). Jesus has done something remarkable in Z's life, and Z responds with great commitment. “This is what I give: half of my possessions to the poor, plus 4x restitution to anyone I have cheated. This is what I give.” TIWIG is encouragement to act on gratitude at God's action in your life, because without action, repentance is lacking. Don't TELL me you're sorry, LIVE it. Don't TELL me you're a child of God, Live it.

• What exactly HAS Jesus done in Zacchaeus's life? One, he addressed him publicly and two he said he'd stay with him. For an unclean social outcast that was a kind of redemption in the here and now... he treated him as a human, as a brother, he restored a level of dignity and honor to his household. And Jesus says Salvation has come to this household – I think Jesus is referring not only to the here-and-now redemption but the invitation to eternal life as well. Jesus says, “This is what I give: my love, my life, my self, my all for you. I came for YOU.”

So now I have two questions: what has Jesus done in your life, and how have you responded?

There's good news here, really at least triple good news: Jesus knows us, Jesus invites us to life now, and Jesus invites us to eternal life. We are not our own, we belong to Jesus, we are bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus, we are covered by him redeemed by him saved by him. There's good news for anyone who feels outcast or unworthy or like they have to earn God's grace or clean up before coming to God. Z's repentance didn't come until after his interaction, and Jesus says in words and in actions that folks like Z – imperfect, messed up, broken, outcast folks like me – folks like Z are why Jesus came. Everybody's welcome, nobody's perfect, and anything can happen.

Today we celebrate Holy Communion, in which we remember how Jesus carried out his mission to seek and save the lost, and today we remember loved ones who have died... loved ones who were known by Jesus, sought by Jesus, saved by Jesus, and who we will see again by the grace of Jesus.

• That's a lot to be thankful for. How will you give thanks?

• Into All Saints' liturgy for Alphon C., died 12/12/12; and Leroy M., d. 4/3/13

We bless your holy name, O God, for all your servants who, having finished their course, now rest from their labors. Give us grace to follow the example of their steadfastness and faithfulness, to your honor and glory; through Christ our Lord. Amen.