Wee Little Me

I’m not very tall.  Most of the time, I’m not aware that I’m not very tall because I’m so accustomed to viewing life from the height that I am.  Periodically I will hug my husband and I’ll realize “wow!  I’m short!”  Or my son will graciously remind me with a “man!  You really are short!”  Or I will be trying to reach something on my top kitchen shelf and realize I might as well just crawl up on the counter.  It’s no biggie, it’s just life.  Our church recently did a fundraiser where we moved cars for a local car dealership so they could have a sale in the park.  I spent considerable time adjusting each seat so that I could reach the pedals and see out the windshield, and then I had to remember to push the seat back as I got out of each car, so the next  person could actually get in!  The struggles of being short are real.  Just yesterday, as I was grocery shopping, I had to request the help of a much taller stranger.  There was a product on the top shelf, pushed to the back, and even with crawling some of the shelving, I just couldn’t reach.  He was very gracious (though I admit, I suspect he thought I was a bit of a stalker, since I spotted him further down the aisle and tried to look busy as I waited for him to come closer…)

When I read the familiar story of Zacchaeus, I could totally relate to him after all my recent experiences.  I was reminded of the childhood song we sang in Sunday School about Zacchaeus and how he was a “wee little man, a wee little man was he,” complete with actions demonstrating how short we each imagined him to be.  I began reading the passage basically believing I would be reminded of familiar truths seen in the story before.

Then God showed up.

I enjoy a good character study and God began to open my eyes to not only the character of Zacchaeus, but also to the character of the crowd.  Crowds are an interesting phenomenon. A crowd is made up of individuals and yet seems to take on a personality distinct from it’s individual  members.  I recently was in Disneyland and I noticed some things about the crowd there that I began to imagine might be true for the crowd that was in attendance to see Jesus the day Zacchaeus was there.  There was probably quite a bit of pushing.  Each person jockeying to get the best position possible regardless of who he or she was moving out of the way.  Each person intent on what would benefit only himself.  I’m sure there were those who leaned toward being more kind within the crowd, at least when watching their outward behavior.  But If you watch closely, you can tell by certain facial expressions that they are thinking all sorts of rude and unkind thoughts about those people standing in their way.  Those who didn’t manage to get the best view point glare in jealousy at those who get to see and supposedly better experience the big event. I noticed it as I sat on the curbside for a Disneyland parade.  The Disney characters interacted with fans on the curb before our general area, then they moved to the other side of the street, leaving our section without that coveted direct interaction.  Parents had to watch their children closely since their initial reaction is to just go out into the street demanding they be noticed!  We adults are more subtle.  We just whine and complain about our poor seats, or that something isn’t fair, or that nothing good ever happens to us.  I’m sure the crowd waiting to see Jesus was no different.  They had taken the day off, they had pushed their way to the front of the crowd, they had stepped on toes and they were ready for the full experience!  It only seemed right and fair.  Right? 

I saw myself in the crowd as I read the story of Zacchaeus.  God gently reminded me of the critical spirit I had been displaying recently.  He  pointed out to me judgmental behaviors and how I seemed to be pushing my self forward at the expense of others.  I saw that I had been spending too much energy complaining about things instead of humbling myself in prayer, seeking the face of Jesus.  I hadn’t been displaying the characteristics that God showed me in Zacchaeus.

From the very beginning of the story Zacchaeus isn’t just out for a look at Jesus and to experience the hoopla of a parade.  Luke 19:3 says, “He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man.”  Zacchaeus wasn’t out for a glimpse of Jesus just to satisfy his curiosity.  He wanted to find out who He really was. Young’s Literal Translation says that Zacchaeus was “seeking to see Jesus, who he is…”  When the crowd stopped him from achieving his goal, Zacchaeus ran ahead; he got away from the crowd.  He might have grumbled about the crowd as he ran ahead, but Zacchaeus took action.  Seeing Jesus, knowing who He really was, was important to Zacchaeus,  and he did something about it.  Then, Zacchaeus placed himself in the best position possible to see and experience Christ; Zacchaeus climbed a tree.  I’m not sure how easy or difficult this was for him.  I’m convinced it was not something someone of his social position was known to do.  Zacchaeus went out on a limb, so to speak, for something he desperately wanted.  When Jesus notices Zacchaeus and tells him to come down from the tree, Zacchaeus doesn’t hesitate to comply.  Zacchaeus responded with immediate obedience in spite of the stares of the bystanders, regardless of how he might appear to others, or even if he might slip and fall in front of the whole town!  Jesus spoke, Zacchaeus obeyed. At this point the crowd begins to do some serious complaining and condemning of Zacchaeus, but Zach doesn’t get distracted by all those negative voices.  The CSB versions says, “But Zacchaeus stood there…”  He stood there, as if to say, “go ahead, speak your worst, Jesus, the one I came to find out about, the one I want to know, is speaking to ME!  He’s going to come to my house. He’s saying He chooses me.” Zacchaeus was so overwhelmed by the presence and person of Jesus that he offered what he had and offered generously.  Luke 19: 9 says, “…Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”  Zacchaeus wanted to please Jesus, delight Him and honor Him.  In fact, what Zacchaeus was offering, was a willingness to comply to Jewish custom and law when one had stolen something from another.  In a moment, Zacchaeus was admitting he had been acting sinfully, and he was willing to change his behavior and live within the boundaries that he had once been taught.  All because he encountered and experienced the presence of Jesus. 

God’s Spirit nudged my spirit as He unfolded the story before me. He began to ask me some very pointed questions:  was I really interested in knowing Jesus, or did I just want to experience Him on the curbside?  Was I willing to step away from the crowd where grumbling and complaining were acceptable and seek the best vantage point from which to see and know Christ? Was I willing to be immediately obedient even if I felt foolish or too much in view of others? Was I willing to shut out the negativity that was swirling in my thoughts and stand in the truth that Jesus chooses me? Was I willing to commit to living enthusiastically within the boundaries that God was determining for me?

I need to be honest.  Sometimes the crowd is so stinking loud.  Sometimes life seems more comfortable when I’m lost in the midst of that negative, complaining, rude bunch.  And God is calling me to step away and climb a tree. Jesus wants me  to move to the best vantage point possible so that I can know Him and experience Him.  So if you can’t find me for some reason, perhaps you should be looking in nearby trees.  I’m waiting there for Jesus. He’s coming this way and I want to be ready when He says to me “hurry and come down, because today….”