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Profile of a Pariah
In these two short verses, we learn a lot about Zacchaeus. Luke includes a few important descriptions to tell us what we need to know about “Z.” First, we know he was height-challenged, and unable to see who Jesus was. And we know that he was trying! He desperately wanted to see him.
The other thing we know is that Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. In Roman Palestine, someone with this job title would have been despised. The Jewish people were under the oppressive thumb of Rome, who recruited locals to collect exhorbitant taxes. “Z” didn’t collect a salary, but would get a percentage of whatever he collected. The more he could suck out of his countrymen, the more he could rake off the top for himself.
Luke mentions that Zacchaeus was rich, so we also know that he did a good job shaking down his people. While that made him rich, it probably made him very unpopular. Who would have looked favorably upon someone who collaborated with foreign enemies?
So short, rich, unpopular “Z” wanted to see Jesus. Did he think he would accept him, unlike everyone else? Did he think that this Jesus might treat him with kindness? I find it very interesting that Jesus always attracted the unattractive.
Do people today perceive that the Church will treat them differently than the rest of the world? Sadly, there are probably a lot of people whose perception of church and/or Christians, rightly or wrongly, is one of judgmentalism and condemnation, rather than love and acceptance. What are we doing to change that perception? Do we make it easy for people to really come as they are? Do we reach out (and this doesn’t just apply to extroverts) and invite people into our home who don’t look like us, or come from the same culture, class, race, or socioeconomic group?
Jesus was surrounded by people who were rejected and hated. This scripture really challenged me to look at who I have or would let “in” and who I might have unwittingly kept out. I think it’s important for anyone who wants to live life the way Jesus did, and see life the way Jesus did, to examine how we treat the “Z”s around us.
Great timing on this for me, Megan.
And I agree. It also occurs to me that I might be a “Z” to somebody (hopefully not a lot of somebodies!). It only makes sense to extend the same grace to the Z’s that I would want to receive as a Z.
“Do we reach out (and this doesn’t just apply to extroverts) and invite people into our home who don’t look like us, or come from the same culture, class, race, or socioeconomic group?”
So many times we feel that the only way to be involved in cross-cultural missions is to either go or send, but what you stated above is cross-cultural missions right here in Smyrna. Sub-cultures, different ethnicity. I think the hardest sometimes is those who come from a different socio-economic status, and yet these are the ones so often mentioned in the Bible. Don’t just give them a handout when you see them, how about inviting them into your home…(directed mostly at me)
Great family photo! Great family!
I had to look up “pariah” to find that it means social outcast. I ask myself, “what was it about Jesus that attracted the unattractive?” What is it about me that doesn’t? Several things come to mind as I ponder this. Thank you, Megan. You’ve challenged me with real food for thought.
I saw a bumper sticker the other day on a guys truck that said “I LOVE GOD. IT’S HIS FANS I CAN’T STAND”. ‘Nuff said dude.
Are we doing a good job at loving on others that don’t think or believe the EXACT same way? are we presenting ourselves in a way that’s annoying? have we placed ourselves way deep inside the “bubble” that we don’t recognize the autheticity of Christ in us (like the Christ that simply approached Z)? I’m challenged with this, Megan …for me and for the body of Christ.
And dude with the sticker…please forgive us!
attracting the unattractive… and going proactively and gaining proximity to the “unattractive.”
thanks for this, Megan.