The famous children’s song betrays the scandal behind the story of Zacchaeus. He was not just a “wee little man …” He was a corrupt businessman working on behalf of the Roman Empire. He exploited the poor, and furthered the oppression of Rome. And then Jesus, a “friend of sinners” and a “companion to the poor” wants to hang with him?

Imagine what the poor may have thought. We are quick to point out how Jesus hung out with the “down-and-outers”, but what do we make of Jesus who hangs out with the “up-and-outers”. Too often the “other” are those who are different from us. But what if we are, in fact, the other? What if we have become so blind to who we are we are unable to see that Jesus crossed lines to hang out with people like us too – not just those who are not like us?

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In this teaching, Lead Pastor Michael Hidalgo considers how Luke plays with the idea of sight- what it means to see Jesus for who he is, and how Jesus seeks to bring healing to everyone. In a moment of almost comic relief, Luke tells a story in which a blind fellow knows who Jesus is. He cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Several people responded by rebuking him and telling him to be quiet. Though they could see, they apparently were blind. No matter what they said, he would not keep quiet. So he kept shouting.

It is then that Jesus stops the traffic and approaches the man who tells Jesus he wants to see. Of course, in some ways he already does. Jesus, having compassion, heals the man but he also heals the crowd to. As Luke writes with a 1st Century wink and a nod, “When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” Apparently, in the end, everyone truly sees.

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The disciples still seem so dull. Jesus tells them about his impending death and all they can dwell upon is what places of power they will have in the kingdom of heaven. They want to be sure that their name will be remembered.

Jesus tells them that it is in his death that he will be exalted. Jesus teaches them that the pursuit of the Kingdom is not about getting ahead, but about dying. In his case, the cup that has been given to him is one of suffering and death. Clearly his kingdom is from another world – where as citizens we are those who serve.

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