Between Righteousness and Mercy
“Prevenient Grace”
Luke 19:1-10
Many of us know the story of Zacchaeus. We might know it from previous explorations in worship or from the song “Zacchaeus was a wee little man” song that we learned in Sunday School. The story is more than a cute little story, but rather a compelling story about the space between righteousness and mercy.
Theologian Frederick Buechner describes Zacchaeus as “a sawed-off little social disaster with a big bank account and a crooked job”. You might envision an IRS agent in a business suit with a calculator or perhaps a border patrol or ICE agent. Either way, Zacchaeus was a very unpopular person that most people avoided.
The story tells us that Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree in order to better see Jesus. I’m wondering if maybe Zacchaeus climbed that tree in order to be seen by Jesus. Perhaps the answer is found in verse 10 of the passage which tells us that Jesus tells Zacchaeus “For the Son of God came to seek out and to save the lost.”
A Gallup poll of several years ago that among the things most people desire for their lives are “the need to believe life is meaningful and has a purpose”, “the need for a sense of community and deeper relationships” and “the need to be appreciated and respected.” Zacchaeus was not only short of stature, his life was certainly lacking in these aspects as well. Another Gallup poll says that 72% of us don’t know our neighbors, and yet we make assumptions based on appearance and/or social status.
John Wesley, citing the writings of St. Ambrose and Augustine of Hippo, talks about “prevenient grace”. That is the concept that God’s grace prepares a person for salvation. When Zacchaeus climbs that tree to see or be seen by Jesus or when Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ home, is this an example of prevenient grace? My heart tells me yes.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the grace that prepares and sustains our salvation. Give us eyes to see the beauty and possibilities in every person you have created. Amen.
David Irvine