Luke 19:3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Zacchaeus was little of stature. In our kid’s song from earlier, he was a wee little man. Other Bible translations refer to him as short.
Was there significance to the fact that Zacchaeus was short, or was this simply a literary description of him? I really had never thought about the issue at all. Given Luke’s status as a historian, I just thought of it as a descriptive thing. The short guy, the big guy, the skinny guy, and so on. As happens sometimes, however, readers have made me think. Here are some comments:
“Wally, it’s amazing that wee Zacchaeus didn’t develop a “Little Caesar” complex. Hmmm. Or did he?”
“I can’t help but wonder if the detail that he was a “wee little man” is significant…as if it is part of his identity or something? Little Man Syndrome? lol Just a guess!” Any thoughts?
Isn’t that interesting? It made me think for sure, so let’s just poke around a bit shall we? Did the fact that Zacchaeus was short mean anything besides that he was short? I really don’t know, but something interesting did come to mind. Feel free later to add any thoughts you might have.
It was pointed out by Anita that, as far as she knew, we never got such a specific physical description of anyone Jesus interacted with. I really couldn’t find such either. There were sick people, disabled people, and other things; but never really just what a person looked like.
One other case in the Bible where a person’s physical characteristics were clearly described, and seemingly described as part of their character follows here:
1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
Saul: Handsome, tall, and outstanding in every respect. From an important family from the Tribe of Benjamin. But all accounts, the future King Saul was a “good” man.
Fascinating, really.
A good man, picked by a rebellious people to be their king. God never wanted that; he wanted to be their King. The people picked a good man, a fine physical specimen; the people applied their own standards of “good,” and “not good,” to determine who would lead them.
Everybody remember how that all worked out? Like the people who picked him Saul decided he knew better than God, rebelled, and was rejected by God. His walk of faith ended in a shambles and in tatters.
Good man, bad man. Does that sound familiar? Tall man, short man.
Anyway, let’s get back to Zacchaeus. Did Zacchaeus being short affect who he is? Probably, yes. Then, as now, for a man to be significantly smaller than his peers can influence how one looks at life. As Tom said, did he want to be a “Little Caesar?” Could that have driven his career choice? Who knows, right?
What does all this have to do with anything? I am going to step out on a limb here. Saul, and the rich young ruler were both good, acceptable, important men. Both rejected God. Our tax collector was a bad man, accepted by nobody.
God accepted him; God loves and accepts all. Good, bad, tall, or short. God is no respecter of persons.
God extends his arms to us all, and the only thing questionable is how we will respond.
February 20, 2017 at 07:26
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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February 20, 2017 at 07:45
Thanks brother Vincent.
How are you feeling?
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February 20, 2017 at 13:31
You’re very welcome Brother Wally, I’m feeling great 😆 able to power walk 20-25 weekly 😎 praise God! Thank you for all your prayers and follow up 😇
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February 20, 2017 at 08:17
Your statement, “Good man, bad man” reminded me of the series back in the 70’s (I think) of Rich Man.Poor Man.” Thanx for the memory….
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February 20, 2017 at 08:24
Ha…I remember that. Ah, the days of the mini series huh? Those used to be so popular.
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February 20, 2017 at 09:55
I just loved the story of Zacchaeus! How I never heard this story as a child I don’t know (I sure missed a lot of things growing up in church?)…. anyways. What a great consideration to ponder on! Thanks for the mental food to chew on Wally. And the final reminder of God’s love.
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February 20, 2017 at 10:33
Well, I never heard it as a child either, but I wasn’t in church myself.
Thanks for reading and adding your thoughts, Jessica.
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February 20, 2017 at 10:52
Wally, here are thoughts I have never had about this little man: God made him a little man, according to HIs plan. He drew this little man to Jesus that day. He made the tree for him to climb, and the witness to the people of what God can do in the heart of man. A little man, wealthy and despised as a tax collector, was chosen by Jesus that day to follow Him ~ a lesson for us all who have been called and chosen to serve Him. (I wonder if he was married, and what his wife may have said when he brought home an unexpected guest. Reminds me of Christian and his wife in Pilgrim’s Progress.) Have a blessed week. ~ Fran
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February 20, 2017 at 11:04
Fran, that was great. In fact, you may see that comment later! Thank you!
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February 20, 2017 at 11:12
Wally, this is one thing I like about our WordPress Christian community. The Lord works through what others write to pique our heart’s imaginations. Your writing about the “wee little man” made me think of this story that I have heard and read many times since my childhood, but never spent time to analyze. Keep up your good work.
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February 20, 2017 at 11:17
Yes to what you said Fran! That is absolutely one of the greatest things about this. It’ like having church 7 days a week almost.
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February 20, 2017 at 10:55
Thanks, Wally. Although we don’t like to admit it, we as a society put a lot of stock in physical appearance and stature. The handsome and pretty ones often get moved to the front of the line in school and then in business. This favoritism leads to even greater self-assurance, etc., etc., round and round. Some of the “second-rate” try harder to compensate leading to such overcompensations as “Little Caesar complexes,” etc. Physical stature and appearance had to be even more important in Bible times with the heavy emphasis on physical labor, etc. It’s just a guess but I’ll bet short Zacchaeus was especially proud that he was a the chief tax collector and able to lord it over those who used to ridicule him for his short stature. Praise the Lord that He looks at our hearts and not our physical appearance!
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February 20, 2017 at 11:05
Thanks for expanding on that Tom. I think you are on to something. In fact, be looking to see what you just said at some point in the future!
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February 20, 2017 at 11:53
Wally, thanks for “going out on a limb” (your words–I’m laughing inside) about Zaccheus. I always assumed that Luke refers to his height as his reason to climb a tree to see Jesus. But (here’s the part I’ve been hoping you would write), Zaccheus climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus stops at the tree to call Zaccheus out of the tree. Some days later, Jesus climbs a tree to rescue Zaccheus and all the sinners of the world. The tree was meant for Jesus, not for Zaccheus. J.
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February 20, 2017 at 11:58
Ah…that was awesome J. I had sort of pondered that and you have cemented the thought. Thank you!
And glad you caught the “out on a limb.” You are the first LOL.
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February 20, 2017 at 12:20
I also think it significant that Jesus invited himself into Zaccheus’ life without waiting for Zaccheus to come to Him. In fact, it seems that often, in the Gospels, Jesus takes the initiative to call people to faith and to discipleship, while those who come to Him seem more often to leave with disappointment. J.
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February 20, 2017 at 12:23
That’s really interesting. I have read over and over the thought that Jesus clearly invited Himself, but no real thoughts as to just why it mattered. I am sort of developing some, but we shall see.
I get into one of these stories, and my mind just goes crazy with thoughts, and I fear putting more meaning into things than they necessarily have.
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February 20, 2017 at 12:56
I had the same thought – Jesus says “I am coming to your house today” and then later, “Salvation has come to this house today.” Jesus = Salvation.
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February 20, 2017 at 12:59
Another thought…the one who appeared to seek salvation went away without it. The wretched man who had no hope (in the eyes of the world) to receive it is the one to whom the Lord brings salvation.
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February 20, 2017 at 12:51
The picture that is emerging for me from the text is that Zacchaeus was a man who was pretty near universally despised. He would have been despised by his community for his position of chief tax collector, by which he made himself wealthy by cheating his brethren. This too, would have made him an outcast amongst his spiritual community as well – he would have been seen as an unrepentant cheat, even as a collaborator with the unrighteous because those tax dollars were going to Rome to support (at least in part) foreign gods. Publicly. Good Jews HATED that.
And on top of not only being a social and a religious outcast, apparently he didn’t even have his LOOKS going for him!
The whole picture just sort of screams BAD DUDE.
It’s especially striking when held up in contrast with the good, young ruler.
Yet it is to Zacchaeus’ house to whom the Lord invites Himself. The rich young ruler who appears to be seeing God is the one whom Jesus walks away from.
I’ve known this story since before I went to school, but I’ve never dug into it before as an adult. I love finding the new gems in old treasures!
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February 20, 2017 at 13:57
Isn’t it fun? I really had no clue where it was all going when I started. In fact, I actually started this a couple of months ago and got stuck. I guess The Lord was just waiting for some folks to show up to help the process along!
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February 20, 2017 at 14:13
He does indeed work through His people, in His perfect time.
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February 20, 2017 at 14:22
Yes ma’am. My issue is shutting up until He is ready. But, that is another topic altogether!
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February 20, 2017 at 17:46
There’s goes Wally, sparkin’ a rally again. I’m still back on that beautiful meme you posted about the God planting a sycamore tree long before Zaccheus was even born! That seriously has struck a chord with me!
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February 20, 2017 at 17:56
Oh..I forgot that! Hmm..may have to find a way to work that in. In fact, maybe tomorrow, since one of the comments I am putting in mentions that very thing!
How have you been lately? I hope well.
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February 20, 2017 at 17:59
I know, right!? Long before Zacchaeus got curious about this Jesus fellow, the Lord provided the means by which he might overcome the obstacles to see Him. He runs far ahead to reach it because he HAD to – it’s not like his brethren, who despised him, were gonna cut him any slack and let the poor little guy go to the front where he could see!
I think the even bigger surprise here is ultimately, it is the Lord who finds him!
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February 21, 2017 at 17:35
LOVE it!
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February 20, 2017 at 18:02
I found that meme! I am really, really glad you thought of that. I owe you a big one!
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February 21, 2017 at 18:42
I think you’re on point there is something with the height of Zacchaeus being mentioned. I am not dogmatic but I too wonder about whether there’s something to the “Little Caesar” complex that was mentioned.
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February 21, 2017 at 19:09
Well, keep reading we pursue it some more next post!
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