This week is the story of Jesus encountering Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus looks up, tells Zacchaeus to come down for He would go to his house that day.

In the story Zacchaeus was a social outcast because of his business and perhaps his stature. Jesus looked up to Zacchaeus because he was in a tree. There are people who are trying to climb the social ladder but are going against so many obstacles. We, as the church, need to look up to those people whom systems tend to look down upon and treat them with respect. In fact, honoring them by being community with them.

Zacchaeus also was probably in the highest echelons of society because of his riches. Jesus calles Zacchaeus down and he started (or had already been) giving his riches away. The church should call down those who have established themselves in higher social economic locations. This may mean that we are the ones who need to come down and be among others. Our riches are worthless for us when the poor are crying for help!

Zacchaeus tells Jesus all that he has been doing (or will do) for the poor. Jesus tells him that His purposes are not dependent on what Zacchaeus does, but rather He came to seek and to save that which was lost. Zacchaeus may have started to brag about his works, but Jesus reminds him that he is just a lost man who needs a Savior. Don't get into the trap of keeping score ("look at me, Jesus, look what I do!"). Jesus always takes us back to who we are. He came to save everyone who is lost...and that is everyone!