A Culture of Honor, Part 2

Last week I discussed the need for honoring people. A little man in Scripture (Luke 19) remains the "poster child."

Zacchaeus’ wounded heart and broken spirit were made glad by the Man from Galilee, who saw beyond his sordid reputation to his significance as a human being made in the image of God.  Sin tarnishes our self-image; the grace of Jesus targets our innate significance.  The Scriptures tell us that “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).  We understand this; however, I’m not talking about our righteous.  I’m referring to our significance – our meaning or purpose.  Significance refers to the potential of our personhood.  

All of us were created by God “to matter.”  We are important in our own right, and we are placed upon this earth to help usher in God’s kingdom.  Insignificance, dishonor and disrespect all kill our divine potential and rob us of an abundant life.  Rob a man of his significance and you potentially keep him in a self-made prison of anger, unbelief and low-living.  Many people sit in churches week after week feeling they are undeserving of God’s grace.  When people realize their true significance in God’s eyes, conversions accelerate. When we honor the unique personhood of all who enter our doors, we see God open their hearts to receive the goodness of God and His salvation.  Honoring people helps take their eyes off their sin and place them on the Savior.  The Spirit more easily convicts of sin when individuals feel that God loves them despite their behavior. Significance always trumps shame and inner turmoil. 

Now let’s read the story of this infamous little man to see how Jesus showed him honor – a man whom many would say, deserved no honor.

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.  A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.  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.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.  All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’  But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord!  Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will give back four times the amount.’  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.’”

Zacchaeus had several things working against him. He was a tax collector for Rome. He superintended the other tax collectors – as the chief tax collector. He was wealthy.  He over-taxed people and kept the overage.  He lived very well with his ill-gotten gain.  He was a fraud. He was hated, despised, always looking over his shoulder.  Always in danger of assassination.  In short, a cheat and a liar! 

AND YET, before the day’s end, this man of small stature would find himself transformed – converted by the grace of Jesus. 

Jesus Christ honored, not the man’s lifestyle, not his character, not his sin, but He called forth the man’s excruciating need to experience forgiveness, love and affirmation.  Wherever the gospel is preached, it draws out the needs of mankind that only Christ himself can address.  That’s one reason why negative preaching cannot bring forth positive results.  When we use our pulpits to tell people how bad they are, how much God is displeased with them and to brow-beat already defeated people, we do the gospel message a gross disservice and injustice. 

More on this topic next week!