Tax collectors during Jesus’ time are generally known for their corrupt practices and their relationship with the Roman empire. This is not the kind of person that one might naturally put in close proximity with Jesus. Yet, here is Zacchaeus, a tax collector, intent on seeing Jesus. Zacchaeus finds the notion of Jesus’ presence in Jericho so pressing that he will not allow the crowd to get in his way. He wants to see Jesus for himself; he wants to bear witness to Jesus’ presence. The problem is that Zacchaeus is short, and despite his wealth, he can not buy access to Jesus.

Zacchaeus reminds me that hearing about Jesus secondhand often is not good enough. Accounts of Jesus’ work, mission, and presence are magnificent, but they cannot replace a close encounter with him. I would love it if Jesus would just come to me all the time. Sometimes Jesus does come to us; he meets us in our pain, our woundedness, our strength, and our joy. However, as disciples, we also have a responsibility to doggedly pursue Jesus’ presence. We are called to bear witness to Jesus as he moves. Nothing about our status, bank accounts, intelligence, or allegiances will grant us access to Jesus; only our pursuit.

It seems peculiar that the author tells us that Zacchaeus is short, except that Zacchaeus “ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree.” Sycamore trees are huge. I have to imagine that it would not have been easy for Zacchaeus to climb. I suppose that he ran ahead to give himself sufficient time to get to a place where he could see Jesus passing.

And somehow Jesus sees him! He sees him, invites himself into Zacchaeus’s home, and Zacchaeus is happy to welcome him. We often make excuses for why we can’t rush to Jesus, but this text reminds us that we have everything we need to make our way to Jesus. And Jesus sees us. Jesus invites himself into our presence. All we have to do is welcome him.