Loving God, no matter where we find ourselves this day, you meet us there, offering your grace and mercy.  Fill us with your Spirit, empowering us to share that same grace and mercy with those who need it the most, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

            In today’s gospel, Jesus is still on his way to Jerusalem.  For the third time, he tells his disciples about the fate that awaits him there, but they still fail to grasp what he is saying.  This has happened as they approach Jericho, and as two very different people catch Jesus’ attention.

         The first is an outcast and a beggar – forced into this way of life by the fact that he is blind.  Yet, as often seems to be the case in the gospels, he seems to “see” who Jesus really is.  “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” is his cry (Lk. 18:37).  “Son of David” is a term that would be used for the Messiah, while at the same time, the blind man seems to know that Jesus has the power to heal him.

         While this first man catches Jesus’ attention because he shouts out his request, the second man seems to be the only one who is up in a tree.  Undoubtedly, there is nobody who is more surprised than Zacchaeus when Jesus calls him by name and says he will be staying at his house that day.  Unlike the blind beggar, Zacchaeus is rich, is a hated tax collector, and quite possibly even a Gentile.  Yet, as with the blind man, Jesus believes that Zacchaeus is worth his time and attention.

         There is actually much to ponder in this series of events – especially when we ask ourselves who we are in these verses.  Are we among the disciples who hear what Jesus says but fail to understand what he is getting at?  Are we the one who is crying out to Jesus for healing, and who cries even louder when people shush us?  Are we the one who is hiding in a tree, just trying to get a glimpse of Jesus?  Or, are we the ones in the crowd who tell the blind man to be quiet, and complain when Jesus visits the home of a tax collector?

         If we are among the disciples, we have witnessed many surprising and amazing things in the company of Jesus.  In fact, he has continued to say and to do things that have left us scratching our heads.  We understand the part about going to Jerusalem, for there have been hints all along that Jesus might be the long-awaited Messiah.  However, we cannot begin to understand why the Messiah would be flogged and killed.  How could he kick out the Romans then?  How could he reign like his ancestor David if he is dead?  Once again, we have been left scratching our heads, trying to figure it all out.  And then, we see who is deemed worthy of Jesus’ attention along the way.

         The first of these people is the blind beggar.  While we may not see ourselves as poor or blind, perhaps we can see ourselves crying out to Jesus for healing – “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  In this situation, we know without a doubt that we are in need of healing, and we believe that Jesus has the power to heal us.  And so, we cry out to him – even when the people around us are telling us to be quiet.

         Jesus stops and asks us, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Lk. 18:41), and we say, “Lord, let me be healed.”  Then, as he has done with so many others, Jesus says to us, “Be healed.  Your faith has saved you.”  And in that moment, we are healed, and follow Jesus, and glorify God.  Later, as we reflect, we might ask, “What is it in our faith that can heal us?” (RevGalBlogPals.org).

         Possibly we might also see ourselves in the one who is hiding in a tree – just trying to get a glimpse of Jesus.  We have heard rumours that he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners, but we do not dare to hope that it might be true.  We are acutely aware of all those along the road who want nothing to do with us, and we wonder if Jesus is really any different.

         Then Jesus turns, looks directly at us, and announces that he is coming to stay with us, and in that moment, our hearts are changed.  We immediately realize that we have way more than we need and that so many around us are poor.  We also think of all those we have defrauded and promise to pay them back with interest.  We realize that we have been known and loved by Jesus, and that is all that seems to matter now.

         And then there is the crowd.  Could we possibly be in the crowd – upset when Jesus looks past us to the blind beggar, and resenting the attention he pays to a tax collector (of all people)?  If so, we are among those who have not yet grasped the nature of Jesus’ mission, which is “to seek out and to save the lost” (Lk. 19:10).

         In the end, however, today’s gospel reminds us that “no matter who we are or where we are, Jesus meets us there, and grace abounds” (RevGalBlogPals.org).  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Lent 5 (NL 3)                                    Luke 18:31-19:10

March 21, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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