Christmas with Zacchaeus

Christmas with Zacchaeus
  
What does Christmas have to do with Zacchaeus? In Luke 19:7 the crowd grumbles when Jesus becomes “the guest of a man who is a sinner.” The Greek root word used for “guest” here is found in another interesting place in the gospel of Luke. In Luke 2:7 we are told that when Jesus was born Mary laid him in a manger “because there was no place for them in the inn.” The word used for “inn” here is the same Greek root word for the word “guest” in the story of Zacchaeus, probably referring to something more like the “guest room” in a house rather than an actual “inn.” So, what can we make of this specific word showing up in these two strategic places within Luke’s gospel?

In the birth story of Jesus Luke portrays him as one who is not an invited guest, only initially recognized by shepherds, outcasts of the world as well. And what is Zacchaeus? Also an outcast. One who, despite his career success and material accumulation, is looked down on by everyone, one who realizes that he is undeserving of grace. And yet Jesus himself becomes a guest in the home of Zacchaeus and brings salvation to him. What does Christmas have to do with Zacchaeus? When we remember the birth of Christ each year at Christmas, it is an opportunity to examine our hearts and remember that sin has cast all of us out, and yet Christ comes with an offer of salvation, an offer of undeserved grace. As we experience this grace, may we, like Zacchaeus seek to extend it to others.