Sermon - October 31, 2010
Year C – The Year of Luke – Reformation Sunday
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36

Luke 19:1-10 - (Alternate Gospel)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" 
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." This is the Gospel of the Lord. 

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The Reformation began when Martin Luther nailed his 95 debating points on the door of the castle church on October 31, 1517. Yes, today people have their heads full of Halloween. However, today we celebrate Reformation Sunday. Today’s appointed Gospel is John 8:31-36 where Jesus talks about his word. However, today I look at an alternate Gospel for this Sunday - the story of Zacchaeus. This is because the story of Zacchaeus is especially appropriate to Reformation Day. 

Zacchaeus was curious that day when Jesus came to Jericho. The crowd was big and he was small. Consequently, he climbed up a sycamore tree – the perfect solution. He was high above the noisy crowd, and he could get a glimpse of Jesus from a safe distance. Besides, he did not have any friends in the crowd. 

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector for the Roman government in this prosperous town, and his position may have made him the most hated man in all of Jericho. He worked for the occupying forces and was, therefore, a traitor to his own people. He was obliged to send in only what the Romans expected. Anything he took in above that, he was free to keep. “He was wealthy,” writes Luke. In this case, Luke is giving an indictment rather than a description. Who would make room for him in a crowd? Who would want to be seen with him? 

The word has spread about Jesus, and Zacchaeus is one of the many in Jericho who want to see him. What does Zacchaeus expect to see? Maybe Zacchaeus has heard that Jesus was known for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. Maybe he has heard that in some of Jesus’ stories, that the tax collector is the hero, and the Pharisee comes across as the fool. Maybe he has heard that a man named Levi, who was a tax collector, is among Jesus’ closest followers. On the other hand, maybe Zacchaeus has heard that Jesus told the rich man to sell all that he had and follow him. After all, Levi had to leave his tax collector’s booth behind in order to follow this Jesus.

Perhaps the most we can say with any confidence that Zacchaeus is curious. He wants to see Jesus; he does not want to meet him. He does not want to touch him, or be touched by him. He wants to observe from a safe distance.

Zacchaeus thinks he is safe in the tree. From there he can watch. From that height, Jesus cannot touch his life. He is sitting in the back in a safe place where he can satisfy his curiosity.

We may think we are different from Zacchaeus. However, he is more like us than we think. For most of us, it is easier to stay in our tree and watch rather than be involved. For most of us, it is easier to hold Jesus at arm’s length because he might change our lives too much. It is easier to sit in the tree than come down amongst the crowd, and the dirt, and the noise, and the needs, and put one foot in front of the other and follow Jesus. Following Christ and being involved in his church takes a leap of faith. We have to ourselves, "Do we keep Jesus at arm’s length rather than asking our lives to be changed by him? Do we ask Jesus to strengthen us by his Word and sacraments that nourish us? 

That day in Jericho, Jesus looked up into the tree. He saw the little man clinging to his branch and commanded him to hurry down from the tree. Jesus wanted his hospitality and his company. Jesus plucked Zacchaeus out of his tree, and Zacchaeus welcomed him into his home. 

Zacchaeus could have said no. It would have cost Zacchaeus less. It would have attracted less attention. 

We know it may seem easier to go on with our lives rather than allow the Messiah to invite himself over and delve into our lives. 

However, Reformation Sunday tells us that Christ died for each one of us. Christ came because each of our lives is important. The power of Christ changes our lives and like Zacchaeus, we can take the chance, invite Jesus in, and watch the radical realigning of our lives.

Salvation came to Zacchaeus’ house and he was changed from a taker into a giver. Zacchaeus is not unique. We see it repeatedly. When Jesus finds a home with us, the result is a generous heart. When Jesus plucks us out of our tree, we ripen into givers, not takers; we become workers, not watchers; we are people who serve, not observe.

Reformation Sunday tells us that Jesus is not just coming to our town. Jesus is already here. He is looking at you and me, inviting us out of a safe, but lonely perch, and into the kingdom of God. Amen.