Right now | I can see you
Series: Simple. Quiet. Present. | Bible text: Luke 19:1–10
Jesus sees Zacchaeus – not simply the tax collector, the sinner or the outcast, but the person. He allows himself to be interrupted, stops in his tracks and gives him his full attention. This encounter transforms Zacchaeus and sets something in motion. We, too, are seen by Jesus. His presence changes our perspective: we no longer see people merely superficially, but truly perceive them. Those who know they are seen by Jesus learn to look closely themselves and to be present for others.
When was the last time you felt that someone had really seen you? Not just looked at you. Not just said hello. Not just asked: «How are you?» But actually been seen. Someone has remembered something you said weeks ago. Someone has listened between the lines to understand what’s really on your mind. Someone has addressed you by name. I think we all know the difference: you can be surrounded by lots of people and still feel invisible. And conversely, a single person can make you feel: You’re not just one of many. I see you.
Luke tells the story of how Jesus came to Jericho. A large crowd was on the move. And Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. So he climbed a tree.
He wants to see Jesus – and makes a remarkable discovery: Jesus has long since seen him.
Jesus sees Zacchaeus
«Zacchaeus had tried to catch a glimpse of Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a mulberry fig tree by the roadside to watch Jesus pass by from there» (Luke 19:3–4 NLB).
Zacchaeus climbs the tree because he wants to see Jesus. He clearly wants to keep as low a profile as possible whilst still catching a glimpse of this Jesus. But Jesus does not keep his distance. «When Jesus arrived, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name: ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said, ‘Come down quickly! For I must stay at your house today.’»(Luke 19:5 NLB).
Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus – and makes a remarkable discovery: Jesus sees him. Incidentally, his name is interesting: Zacchaeus means «the pure one». Of all people, this man bears a name that does not fit at all with the image people have of him. To them, he is the tax collector, the sinner, the swindler, the collaborator, the rich man. A man about whom people have long since formed a judgement.
But Jesus does not just see the label. He sees the person. And he does something very simple: he addresses him by name. «Zacchaeus.» Although Zacchaeus is not yet «the righteous one», Jesus speaks these words over him. Jesus does not initially treat Zacchaeus as a problem to be solved. He treats him as a fellow human being. He speaks to him. He approaches him. And He even becomes a guest in his home. People often see what someone has done. Jesus sees the person – and enters into a relationship with them.
To Jesus, you are not just one of many. You are his counterpart.
Amongst us humans, our appearance, our status, our reputation, our profession and our achievements play a major role. We treat a bank manager differently from a mechanic. I, too, have sometimes answered the question about my profession in the past by saying «HTL engineer». Twenty years ago, when the process of filling the pastor’s post in this church was underway, I became a somewhat controversial candidate. A key figure in this church, who also had issues with my nomination, said at the time, in essence: «At least he has already achieved something and successfully led a youth movement.»My reputation was the deciding factor – even in Christian circles. And that makes me wonder: shouldn’t we be asking ourselves much more earnestly about our calling in situations like this?”
What does God see when he looks at me? What does Jesus see when he looks at you? The first sermon in our current series, «In the Present», was about how God sees us: «I saw … I heard … I felt their pain.» In the case of Zacchaeus, this truth becomes a personal reality. Jesus sees me. And that is more than simply the realisation that Jesus knows everything about me. Jesus sees me – and he turns towards me.
Jesus allows himself to be interrupted
«Zacchaeus climbed down as fast as he could and escorted Jesus into his house full of excitement and joy»(Luke 19:6 NLB).
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. He has a journey ahead of him. He has a mission. And yet he allows himself to be interrupted by Zacchaeus. And this is not simply a brief conversation by the wayside. Jesus goes home with him. A time-consuming home visit begins.
This raises a crucial question: Can I still be interrupted? Living in the present does not just mean that I myself am in the moment. It also means that I can be there for another person.
- I look up from my mobile.
- I listen instead of starting to prepare my answer.
- I let someone finish telling their story.
- I’m asking – and I really do mean it.
- I can tell when someone isn’t quite themselves.
- I’ll stay for another five minutes, even though I really ought to be on my way.
There is a valuable paperback by John M. Drescher entitled *If I Could Start Over*. In it, he lists ten things he would do differently if he had the chance to start again. Among other things: love my wife more, laugh more with my children, listen better, do more with my family, offer encouragement more often, pay more attention to the little things, … It’s striking that all these points have a great deal to do with mindfulness and living in the present moment.
I don’t have to be constantly attentive to everyone. But if I live in God’s presence, I can allow myself to be interrupted. If you only ever keep your eyes on your goal, you’ll overlook the people along the way.
Those who are seen begin to see for themselves
«Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said: «Lord, I will give half of my wealth to the poor, and if I cheat people on their taxes, I will pay them back fourfold!» «(Luke 19:8 NLB).
Jesus goes home with Zacchaeus. And there, something marvellous happens: Zacchaeus is transformed by his encounter with Jesus. And in very concrete terms. The way he handles money changes. The way he views other people changes. A self-centred person becomes generous; a hard-hearted person becomes compassionate. He takes responsibility and gives back.
Zacchaeus is not changed first and foremost by a moral lecture. He is changed by his encounter with Jesus. That is what life with Jesus is all about: Jesus sees me → Jesus stays with me → Jesus…äIt changes the way I see other people. God’s presence is never just an experience for me. It changes the way I see the people around me. Anyone who realises that Jesus sees them learns to look out for others and to be there for them.
This is also of great importance to me in relation to our seetal chile. We, too, have people coming to us whose lives are still in a bit of a mess. And in situations like that, I often say: God will bring this person to their destination too. That is my greatest hope for lasting change. Not simply that we tell people what is ethically right and biblical, but that people in the seetal chile experience powerful «Jesus moments» – and that this gives rise to a new creation, from the inside out. How can we allow such powerful ‘Jesus moments’ to happen in our services? By being present and prayerful? By singing along wholeheartedly in worship? By reaching out to people whom the Holy Spirit places on our hearts? By rejecting any consumerist attitude and together representing the ‘Body of Christ’? I do not have the full answer to this question. But one thing I do know: It has to do with you and me. With all of us. seetal chile aims to be a church, where people experience encounters with Jesus and are transformed by him.
And perhaps that is precisely one of the most beautiful forms of being present: we are not simply there for one another. Together, we are attentive to what Jesus is doing.
Let’s take a question: Who is it that I haven’t seen for a while? My spouse? My son? My daughter? A colleague? A neighbour? The person I’ve long since judged? To many, Zacchaeus was simply the tax collector. Someone about whom they had already formed an opinion. But Jesus stops. He looks at him. He says, «Zacchaeus.» You are seen. You are meant. I do care about you.
And this is precisely where change begins. Not by resolving to become more attentive or better people, but by allowing Jesus to look at us. For anyone who knows that Jesus sees them learns to look for themselves.
This brings our series full circle: God is here. Today is the day. And that is why I can be there for others. So here’s this one question for the coming week: Jesus, who do you want me to see today? Take this question with you. And if a person comes to mind: Look. Stop. Be there.
For sometimes God’s presence begins precisely where a person realises: I am being seen.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible text: Luke 19:1–10
- When was the last time you felt seen and acknowledged by someone? How did that encounter make you feel?
- What does it mean to you personally that Jesus not only knows you, but sees you and turns towards you?
- Which people do we tend to overlook in our daily lives – and why? Is there anyone towards whom Jesus would like you to see things differently?
- How well can you let yourself be interrupted? What helps you to really listen to someone and be fully present?
- «Jesus sees me → Jesus stays with me → Jesus changes the way I see others.» Where do you see this process taking place in your own life – and what might your next step be?
