“Passing Through”
“Passing Through”
Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022
Psalm 32:1-7 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 Luke 19:1-10
First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint, Idaho
Pastor Andy Kennaly
In contemporary Christianity we recognize that Luke writes the gospel in ways that include the outsider, the marginalized, those judged by most as not worthy. Somehow, in Jesus, inclusive, unconditional love, saves, even those thought to be condemned.
For many American Christians, today’s story of Zacchaeus, which only appears in Luke, may sound familiar. However, this familiarity is usually limited to quaint little songs about this short man who climbs a tree to see Jesus. Like children, English language and modern culture is so removed from Zacchaeus that all we see is a “wee little man, a wee little man is he.”
To look at this story through an adult faith with more intentional attention, it helps to open our spiritual imagination, to claim the larger stories pointed to by the details, and to see symbolic importance even in aspects usually dismissed.
For example, right away we see Jesus interacting with the larger salvation story as he enters Jericho. But he not only enters Jericho, but “was passing through it.” What an amazing reflection of the history of Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, where Joshua and the Hebrew people move through, from slavery in Egypt and 40 years of wilderness journey, to new freedom in the Promised Land. Just the setting introduced in this opening sentence, passing through Jericho, means this is not a children’s bedtime story, but a wake-up call to core aspects of the spiritual journey and what it means to be human.
Another detail involves the Sycamore Tree – which in this case is from the fig-mulberry variety, not the maple variety we are used to seeing in cooler climates. Fruit bearing, with light and sturdy wood, these important trees are revered, with branches that spread wide, covered in heart-shaped leaves.
What is strange is that Jericho is known as the city of trees, but it’s known for palm trees. To have Zacchaeus in a Sycamore is an intentional lesson that points to important symbolism. This includes clarity, as Zacchaeus needed the tree to see Jesus. Also, remember that Jesus lived in Egypt for a time as a young child. In Egypt the sycamore is a symbol of protection. Jesus’ family fled to Egypt for protection from Herod the king. In Egypt, when someone died, their coffins were carved from the wood, and a sycamore was planted near the tomb. They believed two sycamore trees stood at the eastern gate of Heaven. Something about that tree helps us find protection and clarity. (https://classroom.synonym.com/the-meaning-behind-cypress-trees-12080730.html).
Not every biblical story has characters that are named. To have a story with actual names listed heightens the importance of what’s going on. The name Zacchaeus is most likely a Hellenized version of a Hebrew name. This means that the New Testament, written in Greek, translated a Hebrew name, Zaccai, which could be a compressed version of the name Zechariah. So Zacchaeus is Greek for the Hebrew Zechariah. But there’s even more because that name comes from the Hebrew verb zakar, which means to remember, and yah, the shortened name of the Lord. Remember the Lord. Not a memory thing, not a recollection, but an embodiment, re-membering. This is the incarnation, of God expressed through life, in and through creation. Re-member the Lord.
But there’s even more, because also there is the verb zakak, where zak means to be pure or clean. The adjective zak means pure or clean in the same way that olive oil is free from foreign material, and frankincense is top quality, or even involves a person and their ways, their conduct, philosophy, or prayer. The verb zaka means to be clear, clean, or pure. The feminine noun zekokit is the word for glass. Re-member the Lord. Be pure. Be clean like glass. Clear. Masculine and feminine energies balanced.
(https://www.abarim-publications.com/Dictionary/z/z-k-kfin.html).
Most good stories play with irony. Zacchaeus is described as “a chief tax collector and was rich.” Tax collectors were corrupt, greedy, selfish, and supportive of the Empire with its power and violence. Ironically, it’s obvious that this wealthy, chief tax collector is living polar opposite to what his name means. The nonviolent Jesus calls Zacchaeus to remember who he is.
This is very similar to what the early church taught through Celtic spirituality, far away from the influences of Rome and the religious power of empire. When we hear about the saving power of Jesus Christ, for most Christians shaped by doctrinal teachings, Christ is viewed as a judge that helps people shed themselves and the world in favor of an evacuation plan. We are taught through the doctrine of original sin that our core is opposed to God. Even the Reformers, who we remember today on Reformation Sunday, emphasized Total Depravity, and dogmas developed that push the idea that there is nothing in us that is good, nothing. No part of our life is not in need of salvation through Jesus Christ. For many Christians, Catholic and Protestant, that Jesus comes “to seek out and save the lost” involves wanting out of the world, to die and go to heaven so we can be with grandma, or to pray for Christ’s return A-S-A-P (as soon as possible). Much of church history teaches that Jesus helps us escape the world and escape ourselves.
But for the Celts, a spirituality that recognizes the divinity of the Earth and each human life as part of the Earth, views Christ not as someone who removes us from clouds of darkness, but provides clarity. Jesus doesn’t help us forget who we are, but helps us remember who we truly are, and clarifies our original participation: that we are expressions of God’s love revealed.
It’s true that we are powerless without God, but the very fact that we live shows that God becomes present to the world through our presence, and this is true for every aspect and participant of creation. Total depravity is not meant for condemning, or control, but intended to remind us of our true nature, that the fact we live reveals divinity, that we are created in the image and likeness of God, through Christ, which is the incarnation.
This story of Zacchaeus is a poignant illustration. Nature in the form of a tree reaches out to partner with us, lifts us up to see Jesus, who comes to reveal not something unique or exclusive, but something inherent. Jesus clarifies our humanity and our part in the larger creation. Jesus comes to clean the lens, to remind us of who we are and how we are called to live, with God, the Earth and the larger cosmos, and one another, even our enemies.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there’s the National Liberty Museum. Maybe someone in their founding back in January 2000 was familiar with Luke’s story of Jesus and Zacchaeus, because the museum promotes glass as a metaphor for freedom. They even have a gala and glass auction as their most important fundraiser. I’d like to read something from the National Liberty Museum, and it’s called We Are Like Glass. I have it on a pamphlet someone gave me a few months ago and I keep it on my desk as a reminder.
We Are Like Glass…
Glass is a reminder of the strength and fragility
that exists in every one of us.
Like glass, we are beautiful and luminous.
Like glass, we are fragile and shatter without care.
Like glass, we are also strong and powerful.
Like glass, we are reflections of our past.
Like the sands of glass, we can come together,
help each other, and accomplish amazing things.
Take care of the beauty and strength within yourself
and within everyone around you.
(https://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/meetingidea/meetingideas021.shtml)
The important tree holds up Zacchaeus just as the Earth calls out to each of us to live into the freedom of who we truly are as beautiful, luminous, fragile, strong reflections, and clear, clean, connections who participate, who re-member God’s revelation in Christ. The heat of transformation reveals clarity and light shines through. Thanks be to God for the depths and true riches of this story told through heart-shaped leaves and the spiritual imagination of deep, perennial Wisdom. Amen.