“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him,
because he was going to pass that way.”—Luke 19:4
I
have always loved the mental image of Zacchaeus “climbing up a sycamore tree
for the Lord he wanted to see.”
This can NOT have been a dignified maneuver. Sandals?
Check. Floppy robes? Highly likely. Prosperous tax collector with height limitations
and, one would imagine, the limited dexterity of one accustomed to high living
and a desk job? Yup. And this man is shimmying his way up a
tree. In public. Before our Lord and Savior (even if
they didn’t know that part yet). Ideal.
That
said, I know I have been known to let my dignity—or what little dignity resides
in one who wears socks as ridiculous as mine—prohibit me from doing
things. I’m unwilling to stand out
or to look silly. I’m unwilling to
make a heartfelt gesture that could look ridiculous in the eyes of others. What do I miss because I’m unwilling to
climb that metaphorical tree? -- LG
Please grant us the courage, Lord, to value
you above all things—even our dignity.
Amen.
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