The Last Straw

t’s a good thing Jesus was not worried about being politically correct. If he was, he would need the endorsement of the Sanhedrin.

You see, there was an election coming up. The Sanhedrin was the “congress” of its day. It had been installed by the Romans and the ruling, majority party was the Pharisees. They were the ones who believed in salvation by the law…of course they were also the only ones who would interpret the law (Moses’ 10 commandments and the 613 laws that sprung from the first 5 books of the Bible). They issued many decrees and needed to have them written so they employed many, many scribes. The scribes had a job because of the Pharisees and were their partners in demanding a very strict implementation of these laws. The political partnership of the Pharisees and Scribes made up an overwhelming voting block.

Years ago those scribes had copied Psalm1, Verse1 which said: “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way with sinners.”  It had become one of the non-negotiables of the Hebrew culture.

Now along comes Jesus, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey just as prophesized. Only one problem; here is this Zacchaeus fella. He has climbed the tree and is pretty hard to ignore. The guy is standing out like a sore thumb. If Jesus had political “handlers” and advisors trying to get him to find acceptance with the ruling party I’m sure they would have said: Hey look, don’t offend the Pharisees so close to the election, will ya. This guy Zacchaeus is not only a Publican but the Chief Publican. (Luke 19: 1-4). Whatever you do, avoid contact with any Publican, let alone the chief.

These guys (Publicans) were Jews who worked for the Romans and did the dirty work of collecting the heavy taxes and fees that Rome demanded. They were known for pocketing their own share because the Romans looked the other way. The more collected, the more for the Roman Empire, so who cares? They were in the same class as robbers, just doing it in a different way. These were the sinners and robbers that Psalm One talks about.

Better to ignore this guy, wave to him if you must but don’t get anywhere near him… for goodness sake don’t shake his hand as any photos of you with him will surely cost you the Pharisee and Scribe endorsement. Jesus, don’t you get it. These guys are gunning for you! They see your doctrine as undermining their doctrine.

You will be giving them just the evidence that they are looking for. Your enemies will cry out the accusation all the more that “He was a friend of Publicans and sinners”.  (Mathew 11:19)

And when he came to the place, he looked up and saw him. And said unto him:

“Zacchaeus make haste and come down for today I must abide in your house”. And he made haste and came down and received him joyfully. And when the crowd saw it, they all murmured saying that he has gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner.”

Luke 19:5-7

The climbing of the tree was the manifestation of more that Zacchaeus desire to see Jesus better. It reflected his spontaneous urgency of a total change in his lifestyle. The desire to get right before God. You see, prior to Jesus teachings the Publicans were outcasts, looked upon as a lost and unsalvageable lot. Even the Pharisees hated them. Not even their money could buy their way out of the distain of all. The Jews hated them, the Romans saw them as cowardly traitors who would do anything for a buck (err, shekel). The Pharisees offered no assistance. All they did was judge and condemn. The Publicans were totally without hope.

The Zacchaeus account also follows the previous story in Luke 18:18-27 wherein a rich young ruler has asked Jesus about the avenue to salvation. Jesus tells him he must give away his money to the poor and follow me. “Err, no thanks Jesus.” Which is probably what prompted Jesus to say: “It is easier for the camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to go into the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25)  And they that heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” And He said “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Here however, was Jesus in the house of one who was publicly proclaiming his repentance, demonstrating the start of a new and totally different life.

….And Zacchaeus stood and said unto the Lord “Half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have taken anything from any man under false accusation, I return it to him fourfold.”

 I can just picture the sincerity of both men as they looked into one another’s eyes, clasping each other in a bond of mutual sacrifice. Zacchaeus with his money, Jesus with his life. Notice that Jesus did not ask Zacchaeus to sign a document deeding the other half of his fortune to Jesus’ cause (as today’s politicians would no doubt do). Both of them have now made a covenant of complete dependence on God to provide. The purity of both men is manifest.

And Jesus said unto him “This day is salvation comes unto this house:” (Luke 19: 8-10)

“And behold, I stand at the door and knock: and if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come to him and sup with him and he with me” (Rev. 3:20)

Jesus gives us a living lesson that once the sinner is cleansed, he is acceptable to the Lord and God can sit down and have fellowship with him. What a beautiful truth, and despite the inevitable consequences with the Pharisees, Jesus lives it out.

I can just hear the Pharisees gleefully proclaiming: Ah Ha!  Now we have him! Publicly consorting with a sinner and Publican. “A friend of sinners and Publicans.” Mathew 11:19…Directly against the scriptures…now we got ‘em!

Jesus, why oh why did you do it? Why not simply whisper in Zacchaeus ear; Sorry, but we have other plans, er, friends we promised to stay with. Besides the Pharisees are watching my every move and it will look bad if I stay at your house. I’m sure you understand, don’t you?

Why? Two simple reasons:

1. Jesus knew this would be the last straw. The evidence that the Pharisees needed was now a matter of public record and would seal His fate…you see He had a date with the cross.  He was not afraid…this is what he had come for.

2.”For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost” Luke 19:10

It also reminds us of the beautiful truth of John 6:37. “All that the Father has given me shall come to me, and all that come to me will I in no ways cast out.”

Can you imagine what the church would have been like for centuries to follow if Jesus would have simply glanced up at Zacchaeus, smiled, shook his head and continued down the road until a he found a “good enough” follower to lodge with?

We all can only give thanks to a merciful God who sent his son for men like Zacchaeus…and us.