Remember that story from the Bible about the little guy in the tree? His name was one of the most fun to say in Sunday School: Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus was short, but that wasn’t his main problem. He was a tax collector–not a well-regarded profession, and he wasn’t an honest one. He frequently overcharged folks just to pad his own pockets. Almost all anyone knew about Zacchaeus was the negative. Yet, despite constantly ripping people off for his own benefit–we have words for people like him–he wanted to see this Jesus guy that everyone was talking about. By all accounts, he didn’t deserve a sideways glance from Jesus based on the choices he was making.
But Jesus saw more than just his behavior. Jesus saw to Zacchaeus’ heart. He knew that Zacchaeus was doing the best that he could with whatever upbringing, life situation, relationships…whatever, he had going for him. More importantly, he knew that Zacchaeus yearned for more, for better.
Jesus’ cold shoulder or condemnation had little chance in changing this man’s heart.
So Jesus responded as he always did–out of wisdom and love; Jesus invited himself over to Zacchaeus’ house.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:5 NIV
He let Zacchaeus know that he mattered–that Jesus saw him not for what he did, but as who he was–a beloved child of God who had forgotten his identity. That one act of pure, unconditional love from Jesus was all that was needed for the tax collector to do a complete turnaround.
As we hear in the gospel of Luke:
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Luke 19:8
Jesus saw the hearts of those we would easily condemn, and forgave them. In his own words, he came to “seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10). As Jesus’ disciples, and with the guidance of the Spirit, we too can see beyond the actions of others. We don’t know where the other person has been, what they have experienced, or the current state of their heart/mind. I can think of many actions I myself have taken that are appalling. But, at the time, it was the best I could do. And just like Zacchaeus, it was love, not anger, that healed me and reminded me of who I was in Christ. Remembering this and responding in love, following Jesus’ example, will enable you to act in love and compassion rather than anger and respond in a way that is healing for yourself and for others involved. Once positive emotions are coursing through you, you will open to positive responses. The Holy Spirit within you will guide and empower you to effective action.