When Jesus barges in

Disciple-making sometimes requires intruding on other people’s plans. Jesus didn’t mind in the least barging in when it suited his cause.

Take for example Zacchaeus, the tax collector of the rich and famous in Jericho. Tax contractors in his time made a commission as they collected revenue for the Roman government, and if they could get away with charging more by false accusation it was even better. Zacchaeus took full advantage of the opportunity in the affluent “city of palms” built by Herod and winter home to the who’s who of Jerusalem. So much so that he was hated and reviled as “that sinner.” His name meant “righteous one” but he was anything but. Everyone thought of him as a greedy, powerful, ruthless traitor, a sort-of mafia don who didn’t really care what poeple thought of him.

Jesus passed through one day on the way to Jerusalem from Caesarea-Philippi, and barged into Zacchaeus’ life. Jericho was the last of a long list of whistle-stops before reaching Jerusalem. The road was busy with travelers enroute to Jerusalem for Passover celebrations, and Jericho was abuzz with excitement about the famous rabbi traveling through.

The streets in and around town were crowded with people. Crowds pressed on every side as people hoped to get a glimpse of the miracle-working prophet from Galilee. Zacchaeus, short in stature, wanted to see. So he decided to climb a tree along the street he thought Jesus would travel. In modern terms picture a powerful businessman in a $1,000 designer suit climbing a tree to see a celebrity. Lets you understand how interested Zacchaeus was.

Jesus wasn’t usually impressed by the rich and powerful, but he stopped right under Zacchaeus’ perch, called him by name, and invited himself over for lunch. “Hurry Zach, and get down from there! I want to go home with you for lunch!” Jesus barged in for the day, without invitation and without advance warning. What nerve!

I think the crowd was a little jealous. Someone said, “He’s going home with that sinner!” Most of them wouldn’t dare go into the home of a tax collector. They would be afraid of [gasp] eating food that had not been tithed! Heaven forbid!

Despite the criticism of the church folks, Jesus went home with Zacchaeus. He barged in, intruded, and changed his life. We don’t know what transpired between them, or what they talked about. But we do know that some time into the conversation Zacchaeus stood and said, “Look, Lord, I will give half my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I will restore four-fold.”

Zacchaeus’ life was changed. Transformed. He repented and vowed restitution in a manner that was beyond what both the law and the legalistic Pharisees would require. His center moved from gathering wealth to affecting restoration. Which is what Jesus’ kingdom is all about.

For his part Jesus was elated. “Today salvation has come to this house,” he said. “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus often comes to us at unexpected and unplanned times. It is seldom convenient for us to meet the risen Savior. Claiming, “Today is the day of salvation,” Jesus barges in and intrudes on our plans. He confronts us with his agenda.

How do we know when we have had an encounter with the living Jesus? He finds us where we are well-hidden, intrudes into our plans, and changes our lives. Abruptly. Our values change. Our lives change. Our motives change. Our relationships change. Our work changes from gathering for self-fulfillment to affecting restoration. The business of the kingdom.

Has Jesus barged in on you lately?