How many of you know that expression, to “go out on a limb?” ‘Means to take a risk. And that’s just what Zacchaeus does in today’s Gospel.
He’s a chief tax collector…one who probably routinely gouges the people of the town. So they consider him an outcast and sinner, someone good people don’t associate with, and so he’s a loner. But somehow the Spirit has moved in him, and Zacchaeus is eager to see Jesus. He’s obviously heard about Jesus somehow, and he wants to see this One who heals the sick, proclaims good news to the poor, and breaks all the Jewish laws because he associates with women, foreigners, children, and sinners…even a tax collector like himself!
So Zacchaeus takes a risk. He goes out to see Jesus, and because he can’t see him through the crowd, he climbs a tree…goes out on a limb. He takes a physical risk in climbing the tree, and he risks the jeers of the townspeople (What’s he doing here?). But most importantly, he risks having his heart changed by what he sees and hears. Of course there’s always the chance Jesus won’t see him, and nothing will happen. But that’s not the case. Not only does Jesus see Zacchaeus, he invites himself to stay in his home! And Zacchaeus, the unpopular one, who usually keeps to himself, is actually excited for Jesus to be his guest. The one who’d probably spent his life gouging others has a change of heart. He becomes generous to the poor. To anyone he’s defrauded, he’s eager to make it up four times over.
Zacchaeus goes from being intrigued by this fellow Jesus to being repentant and converted. And because Zacchaeus changes, his relationship with the entire community changes. He no longer thinks of others as means to the end of making money, but he has a whole new idea of relationship that comes from the love he experiences in his encounter with Jesus.
Now I want us to think for a moment about those who may come to visit St. James. Somehow the Spirit has led them here. They’ve come perhaps through the invitation of a friend or neighbor, perhaps because they are feeling some deep spiritual longing, or perhaps because they found us on the web. However they get here, I believe our visitors are led here by God’s Spirit. So when they come, whether they are aware of it or not, they have come here to see Jesus, to have some real experience of God. They’ve gone to some trouble, perhaps it took them years just to work up the nerve to enter the door of a church. But in one way or another, they’ve “gone out on a limb” to get here. And they may very well feel as precarious and exposed as Zacchaeus probably did in that sycamore tree…‘Wondering if the limb might break, if others might question why they’re here (Maybe they think they’re not worthy to be here?). But they come hoping (or dreading) that they might somehow really see God and be changed. Think about it: When the Spirit leads someone to visit this Church, they may very well experience God. And wonder of wonders, they may experience God through the likes of us!
So I invite each of us to be very mindful of the strangers and guests in our midst. They are holy gifts the Spirit of God has led here, and we are the hands and feet and heart of Jesus, who have the opportunity to welcome these precious Children of God into the life of the Church, the Body of Christ. In experiencing God, they may very well be changed forever. And when one person is changed, it changes the entire community. The host and guest become indistinguishable because together they become a New Creation that God is making.
Imagine the difference in a person when they encounter God and start putting LOVE first. What a different boss, co-worker, or family member they will be. And what a different, more vital church we will because of their presence among us…if we welcome them in!
The chance to see Jesus…It happened with Zacchaeus. It happens here at St. James whenever someone visits. Now I suggest to you that not only our visitors, but all of us are a bit like Zacchaeus whenever we come to Church. The Spirit gets us here, and at some level, we are all here to see Jesus, to experience the living God. As I look at our Youth today, I am especially aware that they long to see Jesus. And that we big people are entrusted with helping them to do just that. No matter what our age, when we come to Church, we’ve all “gone out on a limb” and risked the possibility that we will never be the same. Being here in this place, Jesus may see us. He might even invite himself into our lives, into our homes...24/7. And so we may change: We may come to be more generous, more loving, more forgiving, less concerned with money, more accepting of everyone, and more concerned with justice. We may even become the instruments through which God brings others into God’s family.
It’s risky coming to this Church—for newcomers and old-timers alike. We’re “out on a limb.” We might see Jesus, and when we do, we’ll know Salvation has come to this house, and we will never be the same. Amen.
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