Loving People And Using Things Series

LOVING PEOPLE AND USING THINGS (LK. 19:1-10)

One of the greatest novels written, as well as my favorite Broadway musical, is Les Miserables, the story of Jean Valjean’s transformation from an uncaring and unfeeling man into a kind, noble, generous, sacrificial, and selfless man late in his life. He provided jobs to the poor, gave aid to the needy, and rescued kids off the streets in famine-stricken 19th century France, but unknown to the grateful town folks, their benefactor used to be a hardened criminal. As a 25-year-old young man he stole bread to feed his sister’s seven children and was immediately sentenced to five years of imprisonment for the crime. He considered the punishment extreme for the crime he committed, so he attempted to escape, as many as six times. The law was merciless. His sentence was eventually lengthened to 19 years, and by the time he was released, he was cold, vengeful, and hateful. He hated God, society, and the authorities for the injustices he bored.

Jean Valjean’s transformation began when he sought refuge at a church from the cold, harsh night after released from prison. Instead of thanking the priest who took him in, he repaid his host by stealing the silver plates and ladle in the church. Unfortunately, law enforcers arrested the suspiciously behaving man out on the street, found the expensive silverware on him, and brought him before the old priest for questioning.

However, the old priest did not turn Jean Valjean in; instead the priest surprised the police, dismayed the church caretakers, and changed Jean’s life forever by saying that the silverware was given Jean Valjean, not stolen, and even chided Jean Valjean for forgetting to take with him the silver candlesticks, which were worth two hundred francs – a lot of money at that time. After thanking the departing policemen, the priest sent Jean Valjean on his way with the precious candlesticks and these loving words: “My friend, before you go away, here are your candlesticks; take them. Now go in peace. By the way, my friend, when you come again, you need not come through the garden. You can always come in and go out by the front door. It is closed only with a latch, day or night. Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use the silver to become an honest man. Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying from you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!”

Jean Valjean cried for the first time in 19 years and disappeared into the night into an illustrious legacy of good works.

The transformation of Zacchaeus, who made his riches exacting money from his fellow countrymen, was a sight to behold. Zacchaeus was not just your average tax-gatherer like Matthew (Luke 5:27-28); he was the chief. If other tax-gatherers were disliked or despised, Zacchaeus was hated; if tax collection was profitable or lucrative, Zacchaeus made obscene money and he was filthy rich, one might add; and if the job did not make him notorious or odious, his height made him famous. He was the talk, the joke, and the scapegoat of Jericho residents.

However, Jesus had a different opinion and did the unthinkable. He saved the unpopular, controversial transgressors. Did Jesus not know how Zacchaeus make his money, how people hated him, and how sweet it was to laugh at his height, his misfortune or his exclusion? So why did Jesus save Zacchaeus? What Jesus said to Zacchaeus, then what Zacchaeus said to the Lord before the crowd, and finally what Jesus said to Zacchaeus before the crowd show how salvation was still possible for a dirty rotten scoundrel.

THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF SINNERS

19:1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:1-5)

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Thing aren’t always what they seem.”