We are wrapping up our series on misunderstood stories of the Bible this week.  Next week, we’ll be jumping into our Advent series in Jonah.  It’s hard to believe that we’re already at Advent.  In some ways, this year has dragged on and on due to the pandemic.  In other ways, it’s flown by.  As we enter the holiday season which is full of thankfulness and joy, I think it is fitting that we prepare for it with the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.

Now, the story of Zacchaeus doesn’t seem to obviously lead to the wonder and joy of the holidays.  After all, it’s about a wee little man who climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus.  Most of our feelings about Zacchaeus are tied up in that children’s song, and it usually doesn’t go much deeper.  But let’s take a closer look at the story of Zacchaeus, and hopefully we will avoid the many mistakes and blunders that have been made with this passage.

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon, I encourage you to read the context of Zacchaeus’s story.  Pay special attention to Luke 18:18-30.  As we read about Zacchaeus, I think we will be struck by the miracle of salvation.  Jesus was doing the impossible with Zacchaeus!  And He was gearing up to do the impossible for all of Creation.  The Gospel, at its core, is about God actually doing what is impossible for man.  And that should produce in us wonder, thankfulness, and joy.  It’s perfect to get us ready to celebrate the impossible happening when Jesus, God Himself, became a man.  And even more perfect to set before our eyes anew the wonder of the Gospel, a perfect and righteous man dying so that He might gain wretched sinners like us.  All of that is impossible, and yet God did it.  Come this Sunday, and hopefully we will rejoice in the wonder of the impossible happening.  See you Sunday in the auditorium!