Zaccheus - Size Doesn't Matter

• Tax collector = Sinner

• Zaccheus = Tax collector

• Zaccheus = Sinner

But there he is up there in that old tree, hanging out and hanging on, just for a view of Jesus. No, hero worship isn't new in our world. People in that ancient world lined the streets and did silly things to see who was coming. The crowds were as big- for the times- as they are today.

And little Zach is up the tree trying to see. The first part of the story is obvious- size doesn't matter when it comes to meeting Jesus. If you want to make yourself known, he'll see you, even up in that old tree. Maybe it was unusual to see someone of Zach's obvious stature up there in an old sycamore tree and that made the difference. Who knows. He was curious, he was willing to be foolish, he was seen, and Jesus came to visit at his house.

Under that is the rest of the story. That's the part where people like you and me come in. I would have felt put out by Jesus. He shouldn't be doing that. What about the people down here, who were in obvious need? What about those of us who were waiting for hours to see him?

Or the most obvious rest of the story- why in heaven's name would he spend time with a sinner and a collaborator with the occupying Romans? Her is always doing things like that so you would think his reputation would have preceded him. But it always comes as a surprise. This time, maybe, Jesus will come to his senses and choose the right person to have dinner with.

Now who is the crazy one? Zaccheus who climbs trees to get a glimpse of Jesus- or Jesus who picks him out of the crowd and invites himself to dinner- or the crowds (and me) who keep expecting Jesus to do what we want instead of what He always seems to do? We keep waiting for a different answer- that never comes.

Perhaps what Jesus looks at is something that is different from what we look at. He digs in. He peers inward. And he discovers that perhaps size does matter.

This is the size of need and honesty to admit it. This is the size of a life that is ready to be changed and willing to ask for it. This is the size of a broken heart ready to be healed. Praise God that Jesus continues to do what He wants and keeps surprising me. You'd think that sooner or later I would learn.