Nobody’s Perfect!

Today’s Gospel Lesson begins with a man named Zacchaeus, a wealthy Tax Collector, a swindler, and extorter of sorts. His wealth is tainted: ill-gotten. At the time of today’s Lesson, Jesus is passing through Jericho, the town in which Zacchaeus lives. Zacchaeus has heard about Jesus and is anxious to see what kind of man He is, but he can’t get through the crowd that is following Him. Being a small man, Zacchaeus is too short to see over the crowd. So, he climbs a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

As Jesus passes by, He looks up and speaks to Zacchaeus. “Zacchaeus, come down,” He says. “Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.” After which Zacchaeus hurries down and, joyfully welcomes Jesus into his house. “Look, Sir,” he says to the Lord, “I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody, I will pay him back four times the amount.” To which Jesus…