In Luke 19:1-10, we read an account of a man named Zacchaeus, who was a wealthy chief tax collector. As was common for tax collectors in those days (Luke 3:13), Zacchaeus might have gotten wealthy by collecting more taxes than required and keeping a portion for himself. One day he heard that Jesus was coming to his town, Jericho. He had heard about Jesus previously and was curious to see him. So he went out to see Him. Being a short man, however, he could not see Jesus in the middle of a crowd. Zacchaeus ran down the road where Jesus was walking and climbed up a sycamore-fig tree to gain a vantage point. Jesus had another plan that was far more generous than any that Zacchaeus could have imagined. Jesus walked up to the tree where Zacchaeus was on and told him, “Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Salvation came to Zacchaeus’ house that day and he was reclaimed as a son of Abraham.
Sycamore-fig trees were common in the foothills of Israel (I Kings 10:27). The trunk was knotted and had low-lying branches, perhaps making it easy to climb the tree. The sycamore-fig tree was an attempt of a short man to complement his shortcomings in height. 'What better solution to gain height than to climb a tree?,' he might have thought. This is reminiscent of Adam and Eve's solution to their shame after eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves (Genesis 3:7). If shameful, cover it up. If short, go upon something. These are all man's solutions to his problems.
When Jesus came to Zacchaeus, He told him to come down immediately. Zacchaeus' problem was not his short stature, but rather the problem was in not knowing that Jesus values a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Jesus demanded for him to come down and humble himself. Zacchaeus' idea to see Jesus was to go up on a tree to gain a vantage point; Jesus' solution for Zacchaeus to meet Him was for him to lower and present himself as he was. Man cannot ever elevate himself enough to reach God. That is why God came down in flesh to reveal Himself to mankind.
With that demand to come down from the sycamore-fig tree, Jesus also offered an invitation that "I must stay at your house today." Jesus was coming to Zacchaeus as Immanuel, as God dwelling with man (Matthew 1:23).
Lord, come and cleanse me. Fill me with your presence, with your Holy Spirit, so that I may indeed be Your likeness and serve as Your revelation. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Hung on a tree
December is a month of celebration. Virtually in every home, at every store, and in every church, there is a Christmas tree to brighten the air and uplift the hearts of men, women, and children. Hanging on the tree are many ornaments. Canes symbolizing the letter J for Jesus, stars standing for the Star of Bethlehem, and angels to remind us of the angelic host who sang "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." And, of course, lights and lots of them, since Jesus shone light on the dark world, bringing a message of love, hope and redemption.
But not long ago, to be hung on a tree did not mean celebration or decoration. A man guilty of a capital offense was hung on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:22). A man thus hung was considered to be under God's curse (Deuteronomy 21:23). As Joshua conquered Canaan, he hung enemy kings on trees to show what became of the enemies of Israel (Joshua 8:29, 10:26). Even in the days of the Romans, to crucify a man on a tree was reserved for the worst offender.
Yet, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). He did not pass the cup of the cross (Matthew 26:39, 42), but obediently accepted it (Philippians 2:8) and endured it, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2). By shedding his blood on the cross, Jesus made peace and reconciled us to God (Colossians 1:20). The message of the cross is indeed the power of God that saves us (I Corinthians 1:18). How appropriate is it for Paul to say that he would never boast in anything, except in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).
Because of Christ, we can celebrate a Christmas tree and hang ornaments on the tree in celebration and decoration. In Christ, a curse became a blessing. In Christ, an object of scorn and shame became an object of boasting and adoration. In Christ, a sinner like me became a new creation, a child of God. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
But not long ago, to be hung on a tree did not mean celebration or decoration. A man guilty of a capital offense was hung on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:22). A man thus hung was considered to be under God's curse (Deuteronomy 21:23). As Joshua conquered Canaan, he hung enemy kings on trees to show what became of the enemies of Israel (Joshua 8:29, 10:26). Even in the days of the Romans, to crucify a man on a tree was reserved for the worst offender.
Yet, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). He did not pass the cup of the cross (Matthew 26:39, 42), but obediently accepted it (Philippians 2:8) and endured it, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2). By shedding his blood on the cross, Jesus made peace and reconciled us to God (Colossians 1:20). The message of the cross is indeed the power of God that saves us (I Corinthians 1:18). How appropriate is it for Paul to say that he would never boast in anything, except in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).
Because of Christ, we can celebrate a Christmas tree and hang ornaments on the tree in celebration and decoration. In Christ, a curse became a blessing. In Christ, an object of scorn and shame became an object of boasting and adoration. In Christ, a sinner like me became a new creation, a child of God. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
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