Nougat 27

As I thought about yesterday’s reflection, I revisited the longer text around the Nougat. And though the text has never moved, and though at some level I knew this … imagine my surprise to see that Y’shua followed up on the comments with the three parables on Lostness. Not one, but Three! In the different ways, each underscoring the need to reach those whom we would deem, ‘unclean’.

Hmmn …

In that regard, it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise to find another stark reference to Y’shua tendency towards the spiritual outcast. This time, with a despised tax collector. But let me not get ahead of myself with the reflection. Here’s Today’s Holy Nougat

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Welcomed

There’s only one way to describe it, Y’shua welcomed Zacchaeus. He was the one Who called Zach down from the tree. Zacchaeus wasn’t exactly hiding, but his advantageous point would have fielded him from general view. Yet, Y’shua arrived at Zach’s exact location, stopped, and called him by name. By name, siblings. Did you realize that Y’shua knew Zacchaeus by name and location, even through the branches, flowering buds, and leaves of the sycamore tree?

Impossible

… unless you are the Messiah.

The point I’ve alluded to siblings, is that in that event, Y’shua went ‘in search of’ Zacchaeus; although Zach was also seeking Y’shua. Adds a new dimension to Jeremiah 29:13 doesn’t it (when the prophet quotes God saying, ‘You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.’)? Despite who Zacchaeus was and what he represented, Y’shua’s invitation helps us see that Zach was welcomed in the household of Faith – i.e., God’s Kingdom.

Like me, you might have noticed a caveat – Zacchaeus sought Jesus with all his heart: to the point of climbing a sycamore tree (some as high as our higher than 60-80 feet/18-24 meters, with a trunk span ranging roughly at 40-60 feet/16-30 meters. That’s more than 10 times his height!) just to see Y’shua. But Y’shua has to have gone to where he was and then have had time to notice Zacchaeus! And, then Y’shua did the unthinkable! Before Zacchaeus made a public confession, Y’shua invited Himself to Zach’s home! Who does that?!

Siblings, I agree; Y’shua didn’t do that with every non-believer. He didn’t do it with every believer either. And Zacchaeus wasn’t the only ‘outcast’ having the opportunity to entertain Y’shua. Simon the Leper hosted Him for a feast (and then dared to judge Y’shua for allowing the ‘unclean’ woman to wash Y’shua’s feet). He (Y’shua) seems to have welcomed any and all who desired to know God.

What does that say for us?

I agree.

I don’t have the insights Y’shua does, to know the hearts of people. In fact, the Bible cautions that ‘the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked’. Only the Lord can know it, because God searched the heart and tests the minds (see Jeremiah 17:9-10).

But,

We know God. We’re influenced by Y’shua as we’re His disciples. So, it is feasible for us to follow His leading to discern:

Who

When

How

to fraternize with on an evangelistic basis. And certainly Not with the intent of converting for the sake of marriage. Nope – not on those grounds.

It may not be socially acceptable, even in our spiritual circles. It might not make sense (it probably didn’t for Philip, when sent to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch), but it should be a clear directive from God that sends us out. And we are bid by Y’shua to welcome the lost to God’s table.

That’s what He did for us.

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ