GodReflection: Share It Again God The Nurturer.
So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (Luke19:4).
Magazine articles, television culinary shows, and the tourist trade, brag of regional cuisine specialties. I live in barbeque country. To barbeque is an artform. Enthusiastic barbeque teams gather to compete for Blue Ribbons and bragging rights.
Restaurateurs quickly recognized a year-around opportunity. Among the multimillions in our Texas metroplex there are gazillions of people ready to call in take-out orders.
I’m an eater not a preparer since I fail to possess the DNA cook gene. However, when in need of ‘take out’ I know exactly where to go to bring the delicacy to our table.
Luke packs the story of Zacchaeus into ten short verses of less than two hundred words. His account calls for imagination to fill in between the lines of scant information.
Zacchaeus, a wealthy top dog tax collector heard Jesus was walking in his direction. The short man couldn’t contain himself. He had to see this Jesus fellow. However, the large crowd elbow him out and make it impossible for him to see. His view is blocked. With the quick wit of a man who knew how to collect even more than his share of tax revenue, he thinks. “I will climb a tree.” The perfect plan to see over the crowd.
Jesus—whom he had never met—comes direct to his perch, looks up and calls him by name. Not only that, but he also announces his plan to go to Zacchaeus home for a meal.
The religious folks who presumed Jesus would have been honored to dine with them, saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner (Luke 19:7).
Jesus brings to the house of his host what Zacchaeus cannot offer. The ‘take out’ Jesus selects is Divine Cuisine—he brings salvation.
Luke ends the story with a climactic punch. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19: 9-10).
Jesus wants me to see myself in every story I find in the four Gospels. Jesus always walks in my direction. In each account Jesus announces his eagerness to come home with me. He is the guests who always brings a gift. He comes with heaven’s best ‘take out’ to grace my table.
He waits to see if I, like the short man of Luke 19, want to see Jesus since he is coming my way. He waits to see if I—just like Zacchaeus—will welcome him gladly.
The best barbeque ‘take out’ only last for a meal and perhaps a few leftovers for another time or two. Jesus brings ‘take out’ to provide nurture throughout my earth walk and on into eternity.
Let’s renew our commitment to accept his generous offer to be a permanent guest at our table. Jesus is the only friend we have who we can depend on to provide Divine Cuisine. No one else has it to offer. How about it, are you hungry? He will bring take-out to your table.
Stay tuned.
Dr. Gary J. Sorrells
A GodReflection on Jesus Brings ‘Take Out’ to my Table.
God Reflection 