How Desperate Are We?

[Zacchaeus] wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man, he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' " - Luke 19:3-7

In Tim Keller's new book, "Counterfeit Gods", Keller digs deeper in to the above passage and points out two interesting points: Desperation of Zacchaeus and the way Jesus comes in to Zacchaeus' heart.

Zacchaeus was the arch-tax collector of his contracted region and one of the most wealthiest people. However, he was one of the most hated people. "Think of what people thought of the collaborators who, under the Nazis, oppressed their own people during World War II" [Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods], as Zacchaeus was the head tax collector for the Romans, which occupied Israel during this time. However, although Zacchaeus was a short man, and couldn't see over the crowd, he climbed a near by tree to get a glimpse of Jesus.

"We must appreciate the significance of this. In traditional cultures it was not freedom and rights that mattered but honor and dignity. For a grown male to climb up in to a tree would have invited enormous ridicule. Surely a person like Zacchaeus, who was already despised and a short man as well, would be more careful to act in a way that was fitting to a dignified personage" [Keller, Counterfeit Gods].

This desperate act of Zacchaeus really humbled me- No matter how deep I am in sin, I need to be desperate for God, and rid my delusions of insecurities from others judging me. If people that judge are wrong in God's eyes, why should I let their judgement have any weight on my decision to serve the Lord? How desperate am I to just merely get a glimpse of His glory? I want to be as desperate as Zacchaeus.

The interaction of Zacchaeus and Jesus is also importantly noted- The only thing Jesus expect from us is humility, and He will do the rest. Once we break our pride and dignity, we allow ourselves to hear His call. Without this process, we can only be indulged in our self-centered ways, and it is impossible for us to hear the Truth.

"This simple interchage could not have been more instructive for us. Zacchaeus did not approach Jesus with pride but with humility. He did not stand on his dignity and wealth; instead he put aside his station in life and was willing to be ridiculed in order to get a glimpse of Jesus. Ultimately, it was not Zacchaeus who asked Jesus into his life, but Jesus who asked Zacchaeus into his" [Keller, Counterfeit Gods].

I hope I allow Jesus to call my name everyday...