“Going Out on a Limb” (Luke 19:1-10)

What came first . . . the chicken or the egg?

In the same way, I pose another question: What came first . . . repentance or salvation?  That is what we must determine in our reading this morning . . . what came first: repentance or salvation.  For many, the most popular and held answer is that repentance comes before salvation.  In other words, most believe that one must repent before there is salvation.  Thus, repentance always precedes salvation . . . or does it?

In our reading we have Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus’ name means “righteous”, yet everything we know about him points him in the opposite direction of his name.  We know that he is a tax collector—a chief tax collector.  We know that he was a successful tax collector who grew quite wealthy from his employment.  Being a Jew, Zacchaeus could not have chosen a more despicable job.  His employer was the Roman government—the oppressors of the Jews . . . the enemy of the people. Such a job brought out the distain of the people who viewed the tax collector as nothing more than a traitor.

Add to that the fact that Zacchaeus was quite good at what he did.  It had made him wealthy as he probably used every under-handed and crooked way to build his wealth off the backs of those who could not afford it . . . the poor, the elderly, the widows.  Such behavior did not earn him popularity among those in his community.

Throw into the mix the fact that Zacchaeus was also short . . . extremely short.  He was different looking in stature . . . he wasn’t like everyone else.  He was looked upon differently . . . as not like the others . . . he didn’t fit in.  He was probably ostracized from the community because of his difference.  He was probably the brunt of a lot of rude and disrespectful comments.

Basically . . . ol’ Zacchaeus was a loser.  He was the scum of the earth.  As far as the people of the community were concern, Zacchaeus was worthless.  We see that in the reaction of the people when Jesus calls him to come down out of the tree telling him that he was staying at his house.  The people mutter, “He has gone to be a guest of a ‘sinner.’”

Anyone disagree?

Zacchaeus is despicable. 

None of us disagrees . . . but, Jesus goes and says, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”  Jesus proclaims Zacchaeus to be saved . . . and, I am confused.  We all should be confused.  Where was the repentance . . . where does Zacchaeus repent?

Oh, I know what you are going to say.  You are going to say that it is right there in the story . . . the part where Zacchaeus states that he is going to set everything right.  He is going to pay back those he has wronged.  That’s it . . . right there!  Zacchaeus is repenting and we all heard it with our own ears . . . and, yet, that is not what he is saying at all.

No, Zacchaeus is defending himself against all the muttering of the crowd who cannot believe that of all the people in the community, Jesus picked the scum of the earth to host him.  Zacchaeus defends himself.  He tells Jesus that he gives half of his possessions to the poor and that if he has cheated any one, he always quadruples what he has taken.  He is not saying that he is going to get around to doing this, he is saying that he is already doing this.  Zacchaeus claims that he is righteous . . . that he is deserving.

This does not sound like repentance.

Jesus’ response? “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Jesus does not argue with Zacchaeus . . . he does not affirm Zacchaeus’ statement.  Twice in this story, Zacchaeus is honored by Jesus.  First, by inviting himself to the tax collector’s house.  Second, by declaring that no matter what the crowd might think, Zacchaeus is a child of Abraham deserving of God’s love and grace.  He is forgiven.

So, what came first . . . repentance or salvation?  The chicken or the egg?

I suppose it depends upon how you view God . . . how you view God’s love . . . God’s grace.

As many of you know, I am a big fan of the University of Nebraska football team, the Cornhuskers.  One of the traditions on the Cornhusker football team is that the defensive players must earn the right to wear the “black shirt” that signifies them as the “best”.  This means that they must be graded in every practice and game to get an acceptable score.  It takes into consideration their behavior off the field.  It considers their leadership.  It is not “given” to them, it is earned.  And, this is done week after week throughout the season . . . it can be taken away as easily as it is given.

This is the way that some people see their relationship with God.  Salvation must be earned.  Repent, then salvation . . . a constantly revolving object that must be earned.

Is this grace?

I do not think that it is.  God’s love and grace trumps all.  God’s love and grace declares that we are worthy and desired to be in a relationship with the Holy.  It is not something that we earn . . . it is ours . . . it is ours because we are the children of God.  We are God’s own.  Good, bad, or ugly . . . we are God’s, and God wants to know us and be a part of our lives. 

In such a way, God goes out on a limb . . . goes out on a limb for us.  God showers us with love . . . showers us with grace.  And, when God goes out on the limb for us there is the potential for change and that we begin to live our lives as if we are truly one of God’s own.  That is what God does.  God doesn’t wait around for us to get our acts together because God desires a relationship with each and every one of us.

In the story of Zacchaeus, Jesus demonstrates this much to the shock of the crowd that is gathered as he seeks out the tax collector, honors and affirms him—declaring him a child of Abraham, and proclaiming that salvation has come to his house.  Jesus goes out on a limb for Zacchaeus.

I imagine that as you read the title of this morning’s sermon you were probably thinking of Zacchaeus going out on a limb . . . or taking a risk to see Jesus.  True as that is, that metaphor applies more to God and the actions that Jesus takes.  It is the Holy that goes out on the limb . . . that proclaims that this despicable human being is still one of the children of God.  As a child of God, even he deserves God’s love and grace . . . no questions asked, no expectations.

This is probably why the actions of Jesus shocked the crowd that was gathered . . . it was not expected.  Yet, we need to remember that God’s ways are not our ways.  With Jesus, and ultimately God, going out on that limb with Zacchaeus, we are reminded that we were never in control in the first place.  God is in control.  Which is a good thing as God’s love and grace far exceeds either our need or our expectations.

So, which came first . . . the chicken or the egg . . . repentance or salvation?  I don’t know the answer to those questions.  All I know for certain is that it is all in God’s hands . . . hands of love, hands of grace.  Is it worth going out on a limb . . . the choice is ours.  Amen.