“Which of Jesus’ stories comes to mind when you think about reconciliation?” This was the question asked a few days ago by my Simply Jesus friends. My response was almost immediate: “I think of Zaccheus reconciled to his community after his offering of concrete restitution.”
Here is a bit more on my friend, Zacc, as I like to call him:
Walking through Jericho one day, Jesus looked beyond and above the crowds and saw a small man perched in a tree. All the locals knew it was Zacchaeus. He was a rich man due to his work as the chief tax collector. His riches came by way of collusion with the occupying force of Rome, gathering taxes and tribute from a people already under the heavy hand of the empire. His partnership with the oppressor daily exploited hisneighbors – a wedge between them, I’d imagine.
Jesus called out, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” The little man moved down the tree and into the street quickly, eyes shining with excitement at the unexpected opportunity to host the Rabbi. “Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” It was then, after this astonishing statement of restitution, that Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house…”
Giving half of his possessions to the poor was an extravagant act of charity – a great start. But the most revolutionary action was the decision to offer restitution to those he defrauded. He knew his riches were gained by exploiting the poor and that his actions had impoverished an entire community.
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