Witnessing the growing amount of violence in our streets and the destruction of private property, two deep fears have been awakened in us. First is the fear of a violent death, and secondly is a significant loss of money and property. Today we read two stories. One talks about an old man experiencing a violent death and another of a rich man losing over half his wealth.
The first story is about a 90-year-old Jewish scribe who lived in the time of the Maccabees. Jewish people were forced to eat pork as a way of demonstrating allegiance to the pagan government and rejection of their Jewish faith (2 Maccabees 6:18-31).
“Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture…”
Those in charge of this ordeal wanted to make a secret deal with Eleazar. They told him to get some of his own meat, and they would pretend it was pork and give it to him. Then he could satisfy the authorities as well as stay faithful to his covenant with God. No way, said Eleazar. What kind of example would that be to young people that an old man would deny his faith?
“When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said, ‘The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.’”
Grace empowered him, not only to face a violent death willingly, but to experience joy in his soul as it was taking place.
From the saint, Eleazar, we switch to public sinner in the gospel story today (Luke 19:1-10).
“At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree, in order to see Jesus…”
Imagine! A chief tax collector from Jericho—a Samaritan town—wanted to see Jesus. He was hated by all, an outcast. No way the people would let him move to the front of the crowd. He was on bad terms with God, for extorting money from the Israelites, and definitely on bad terms with the people. Then an amazing thing happened.
“…Jesus looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.’ And he came down quickly and received hi with joy.”
Zacchaeus was stunned. The Son of God came to earth, and though he didn’t plan to stop in Jericho, abandoned his plans to visit the house of a sinner. Zacchaeus was so joyful he began to give things away.
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it four times over.”
In response to meeting Jesus, this sinner gave up most of his wealth.
Jesus visits our homes today. Sometimes he brings a gift of trial and suffering, sometimes a gift of salvation. Will we receive whatever he gives us “with joy?” Or will we compromise and complain?
