“Saints and Sinners” - Luke 19:1-10
November 4, 2007
Dr. Michael C. Yarbrough

          I learned that song as a little boy in Sunday school.  There were some motions that go with it, but all I remember are the words.  It’s stuck with me all these years.  By remembering the words, I have always been able to remember the Bible story.  I didn’t know it then, but I now know that the story of Zacchaeus is a story about how a sinner became a saint.

          In May 2000, I was in Jericho.  In Jericho’s small town square, there is, actually, a sycamore tree.  Although a Palestinian tried to tell me that it was Zacchaeus’ tree, believe me (I know better), that tree wasn’t any 2,000 years old!  Oh well – it’s a good tidbit for the few Christian tourists and pilgrims who get to Jericho.

          Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in the beautiful city of Jericho.  He had become rich by overcharging the taxes for businesses and households – and as long as the Roman magistrate got what was due the government, he was legally accountable to no one.

          He heard that Jesus was going to be passing through town, on his way to Jerusalem, and was curious to see this faith-healing rabbi.  Crowds gathered along the streets.  One of the two men – either Zacchaeus (the traditional view) – or (as the Greek text hints, maybe) Jesus – was too short to be seen by the other.  (It’s kind of hard to imagine Jesus being short, isn’t it?)  No matter which one of them was the short one, Zacchaeus was headstrong and innovative.  Undaunted, he climbed a tree so that he might get a glimpse of Jesus.

          When Jesus came into view, a marvelous thing happened.  Jesus stopped walking, looked up into the tree branches, and addressed the surprised tax collector.  “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”  It was a moment of decision.  Zacchaeus shimmied down the tree, and thereby began a process by which that sinner might become a saint.

          For Zacchaeus, the first step was an interaction that introduced him to Jesus.  Jesus called up to him in the noise of the crowd.  “Hey man!  What’s happening?  Want to hang together for a while?”  The first step in the spiritual transformation of Zacchaeus was an unexpected encounter with Jesus.

          Then, a second thing happened.  When Zacchaeus came down out of the tree he responded to the acceptance he experienced in Jesus.  He decided to quit being a shakedown artist, and to start changing his lifestyle.  “Look,” he said to Jesus, “half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”  In the conviction of the moment, Zacchaeus did more than Jewish or Roman law expected of him – he exhibited a truly generous heart.

          After Jesus met Zacchaeus, after Zacchaeus responded in an attitude and lifestyle change, a third thing happened.  Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house ...”  Jesus understood that Zacchaeus was a changed man, the process of spiritual transformation was begun, and salvation now belonged to the reformed tax collector.  In three steps, the fine line between sinner and saint was crossed.

          Christians throughout the world celebrate this day as “All Saints Day.”  It is not a part of our own tradition to canonize saints or to pray to them, but the Church – even our church – has its share of “saints.”  You might not think of yourself as one, but you are a saint.  So am I.  According to the apostle Paul, all who believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and live their lives directed by that belief are saints.

          The story of Zacchaeus is our story.  We are the sinner.  We are the insecure one.  We are the selfish and greedy one.  But we have met the risen Jesus in some form or fashion, and our own lives have now begun the process of spiritual transformation.

          How did Jesus meet you?  Was it through a parent – or another family member?  Did you meet him through a friend – or a minister – or a teacher?  Maybe you met him through a counselor – or youth group sponsor – or a church elder – or in something you read – or a week at church camp.

          At some time, somehow, we each were introduced to the loving and accepting One we know by the name of Jesus.  Many of us may have met Jesus through the actions, words or example of one or more of the Church’s saints.  In those encounters, we discerned the spirit of Christ living in them, and saw that same spirit in action through them – and we, like Zacchaeus, began our own spiritual transformations.

          If you are one of the believers Paul called “saints,” then who was your model?  Through whose life did the Son of God shine, that you might experience salvation in Christ?  The church’s saints are all ordinary people who have met Jesus, acted on the love they experienced in him, and have been called by Jesus Christ to live a different way.  These are the people whose lives are caught up in the plans of God.

          I think that we recognize saints in little ways – those seemingly small, earthly gestures, deeds of love and mercy.  It is a difficult, but holy thing to bring God’s love to a hospital room, or to a hardware store, or to a high school classroom through one’s attitudes, words and actions.  Somehow, amid the cares of everyday life, a Christian saint is able to keep his or her eyes fixed on the things of God, to live in joy, to reach out to others with loving compassion, and to show glimpses of God’s promised kingdom in the midst of our own worldly kingdoms and all-too-human demands.

          This morning, each of you has been given a blank sheet of paper.  Would you please take it out and set it before you.  During a moment of silence, I’m going to ask you to do two things.  On the top half of the sheet, write down some names of Christians who have now preceded you in death, but through their faith, action, and witness, have touched your life.  On the bottom half, write down some names of those living Christians who have in some way had a strong impact on your Christian growth.  Let us now have a minute of silent reflection.

[When the writing is done]:
          In the quietness of this moment, I invite you, one at a time, to say aloud the name of some of the church’s saints who have gone before us in death.

          This morning, you’ve written the names of some of the Church’s saints on your piece of paper – some are still living.  I encourage you to take this sheet of paper home with you today, and in the coming week, contact some of them by card – or letter – or phone call – or E-mail – or face to face – and let our living saints know how their lives have helped to shape your relationship with Christ.

          Like Zacchaeus, we are the sinners who daily journey forward, doing the hard work of spiritual transformation.  We’re works in progress.  We are still sinners, but (by Paul’s definition) also saints.  That’s what Jesus’ Church is: saints and sinners.  Sure, we’re sinners.  But it is time to recognize that God expects us to be saints.  You and I are the only word from God that many people we know will ever hear.  Go ahead.  Be God’s word of love and acceptance in a troubled, hurting, and confused world.  Speak the word.  Embody that word in all that you do.  For you never know whose life will be transformed because they have met the Son of God through you!

          Let us pray:

          Almighty God, we have encountered your son Jesus through the lives of your saints, and we know now that you call us to join them.  Give us the courage, O God.  Show us how.  We pray it in Jesus’ name.

Amen.