Sycamore Tree

While I am pretty new to all this bible reading stuff....today I was reading about a very hated, tax man (a crook) who desperately wanted to see Jesus. Problem was...........he was hated and no one would have let him into the crowd that gathered around Jesus. He was also very short. Too short it appears to be able to see over the crowd. So he needed to find some way to elevate himself.

So, here was this man....a little man.... a little hated man... a little hated, dreaded, deceitful man who loved to take advantage of people; having them pay for his little life. He probably loved stepping on who ever he could; by taking their hard-earned wages... Perhaps so he could feel superior.. Hey, may be even taller?

So.... this man, named Zacc' (nickname) wanted to see Jesus. He knew of this Jesus fella and knew that if he could see this man that somehow his life.. just might be a little better. At least that was the word on the street. Anyone who met Jesus was healed or their lives turned around. So what the hey... may be there is something in this for Zacc'?

He saw a tree. Along the side of the road, spanning out over and above everyone crowded in where Jesus was walking by, was a tree. A sycamore tree.

Zacc' ran out ahead and climbed it. Perhaps he would be able to see. Perhaps from up there in the tree; he could go unnoticed. Unnoticed by others who do not like this man and maybe from there he could be hidden from Jesus; the one he was desperate to see....

Jesus approached; walking up the road where the tree branches swept across, casting shadows and creating places of shade from the beating sun... Jesus looked up. He saw Zacc' hiding up among the branches, peering down to see him.

Straight-away Jesus called up. You. You come down here. I want to come to your house for dinner. Lets eat together. Lets spend some one-on-one time. You and me, lets become friends.

WOW. The crowd was struck by this. Imagine the hub-bub. Imagine the water-cooler talks. Things folks would say.... 'Why, Zacc is nothing but a lying, stealing crook.. what does Jesus want to do with him is beyond me!" or, "What is Jesus thinking? This guy is not as good a guy as I am, I am a hardworking honorable person...a person of integrity, why doesn't he want to spend some one-on-one time with me?"

But Jesus does. He calls out Zacc' and they break bread and immediately.... (Now here is an interesting point....) immediately; Zacc' declares that anyone he owes, he'll pay back. Anyone he has cheated he will pay back 4x the amount.

It's like. He sees Jesus and instantly is faced with who he is, where he is at and what it means to go the next step. He understands that he must lay down all his past ways. He must forget about that and move into communion with Jesus. And he does............

Now, the sycamore tree. This had me. Why a sycamore? I mean, in other bible stories there are other trees but a sycamore? So I looked into it. As it turns out...

A sycamore tree is (from that area and time period) is known as, Ficus Sycomorus. Some say of that tree that it is a tree that is a good camoflage.. easy to hide in. Also and in order to best propogate this tree (since its' seeds are unisex) it is best to graft it into, cultivate it from cutting away at it..

Just like our Zacc'... He climbed up into it to hide. Sure he wanted to be able to see Jesus and yes, he hoped for a better life than the one he was living; but he was not sure how he would be seen. He wanted to be able to get a glimpse, may be some help, from a safe place - a hiding place.

And further, our Zacc'? He was grafted in. He was immediately invited in to the fold of Jesus. He was not told...'Well, you get yourself right and when you do, come see me." Nope. He was accepted for where he was at - right in the middle of it. He was invited into company with Jesus, invited to join in some food and some one-on-one....

Very interesting, this bible. I find as I read, I not only uncover the love and grace we are all meant to see but that it is rich in layers and contexts that make sure we all see ourselves in the pages. We are all invited. So, I ask you...what are you hiding from?