I think there is something significant about Jericho being the lowest city on earth, obviously Luke didn't know that, but he did know that from Jerusalem it was a long, long steep descent, down to Jericho.
The Lord goes into the depths to seek to seek who he might find. Zacchaeus, the shortest man, in the depths, is the lowest in the lowest place.
For Jesus, Zaccheus climbs a tree, for Zaccheus Jesus will ascend a tree.
Jesus looks up at Lazarus, not to condemn but to save, he enters into his house.
"They" object, because they can't see in Zaccheus what Jesus sees. For them he is a sinner, they have no hope of either his redemption or theirs. For Jesus, he is a son of Abraham, Jesus see what he is and can become, what God has made him, not what he has made himself, God does not create anything to hate it.
In the loving look of Jesus, Zaccheus with joy changes his life, not for fear, but for love.
Now, can Jericho stand for Hell, is Zacchaeus a substitute Adam ...?
4 comments:
Thanks Fr Ray - this added a real frisson to what was already one of my favourite Gospel passages!
Interesting to see that Zacchaeus means "pure", "innocent" or "clean" in Hebrew. Jesus was/is able to see beyond his/our sins our true identity as children of God; the purity, the "very good"-ness of men and women made in the image and likeness of God the Father.
Jesus calls us to reclaim that identity, to free ourselves of all that tarnishes our souls, to fully become what we are in essence, to become temples of the Lord where we may welcome him into our hearts, our souls.
Well...I suppose Zaccheus could stand in for Adam, though I think elsewhere Mary's son Jesus is said to be the new Adam. But then given literary allusions aren't perfect, I like your posit. Perhaps Zaccheus's wife cooked something really good for dinner that night? I'd take the rack of lamb at Zeccheus's house any time over whatever else was likely on offer elsewhere! ;-D
...great insight, Fr.!
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