The young fella that has been working with me the last half of summer has gone back to school and for the past few weekends has been trying to kick some kind of “bug” going around on campus. These fall blooming weeds must be pulled or the process of germination will explode, exponentially, this coming spring. Therefore, I’m totally in the D.I.Y mode out of necessity. On the other hand, doing it myself is not so bad as it has returned me to a much simpler time. A time when it was only me and a pair of, well worn, leather gloves. A time when I would hear my father say, “son, if you want something done, and done right, do it yourself.” A time when I took more pride in the craft and skill involved than technological prowess. I think; more than the fad movement it has become; do-it-yourself was, once, simply the way people ate through the cold winter months, or fixed what was broken, or made something new for a child to enjoy.
In my own life, I’d like to think, I have come to embrace D.I.Y partially out of necessity but more for satisfaction sake. For example, I am growing vegetables in a garden that I eat during the summer months. and learning to foster beautiful flower beds providing fragrance inside our little home on occasion. I love the sense of self-sufficiency that comes from doing things the hard way, or the slow way, or just on my own. Hardly ever, the modern, conventional way!
Then there's that much greater sense of satisfaction which comes when what I have grown contributes nourishment and/or benefit for others. I can't explain the satisfaction that comes over me when Bettyann thinks enough of my flowers to be displayed in a fresh bouquet in our home. This satisfaction reigns supreme especially true when it comes to inviting someone to our table where Bettyann has provided portions of a delicious cooked meal. I love sharing a meal that comes from the garden. By the way, Bettyann is a outstanding mate, hostess and cook which more than satisfies my soul. There is no way I could D.I.Myself, without her, in so many aspects of this life.
I’m like my father who loved growing large produce, enough to share not just for his family but more than enough to share with the surrounding neighbors. I cannot deny that there is something transformative when what I have done myself is done for the enjoyment or benefit of someone else.
Since taking a lengthy approach of reading and ruminating on the narratives of the gospels, I find Jesus often coming and going from meals. Interestingly enough, I discover Jesus is often eating meals with a very sundry cast of characters who are often consigned into a do-it-yourself corner because they are not welcome at the table of their religious communities. Yet, I understand that meals with Jesus are about more than the food. They are the conduits for spiritual and life transformation. One dramatic example of this transformation occurs with a chief tax gatherer, Zaccheus. And unlike other accounts of meals with Jesus, I read in Luke's gospel, where he is the invited guest, Jesus invites Himself over to dine in Zaccheus's home. As a result of this dining experience, Jesus gives Zaccheus a new identity as a "Son of Abraham," a title that inflamed the religious leaders of his day. How could Jesus count a scheming, conniving, tax-collecting outsider as a "Son of Abraham"—which meant he was a son of the faithful patriarch and a true Israelite? And how did Zaccheus demonstrate faith that garnered Jesus's commendation?
Hearing the news of Jesus's arrival, this much-maligned man pushed his way through the crowds, and climbed up in a tree just to get a glimpse of this man. Zaccheus had heard the stories about Jesus—his healings, his hospitality towards tax collectors and sinners, and his remarkable, authoritative teachings. Now his curious faith compelled him to see for himself if all that he had heard was really true.
I’m thinking here that it must have been pretty surprising when Jesus invites himself over for dinner! Of course, Jesus wants to dine with this one who is despised. In response, Zaccheus overflows with generous gratitude by saying: "Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor." Jesus has asked for nothing but hospitality from Zaccheus, and in response, Zaccheus willingly surrenders half of his wealth. The tax collector's willingness to let go of half of his wealth demonstrates faith—a faith, just like Abraham. The hospitality of Jesus prompts his faith-fueled donation.
I’m convicted at my core when I see his faithful response goes far beyond gratitude as he seeks to restore justice to those whom he has defrauded. It wasn't enough for Zaccheus to give away half of his wealth in response to Jesus; he insists on repaying those he has defrauded. I’ve learned that the Old Testament requirement for restitution is for the amount defrauded plus one-fifth. But Zaccheus doesn't simply meet the letter of the law; he offers to repay four times as much as he has defrauded others! Four-fold restitution will impoverish Zaccheus, as he's already committed to give away half of his wealth. Yet in response to Jesus's gracious invitation, Zaccheus parts with his wealth as a sign of his saving faith.
Like Abraham, Zaccheus responds with faith that prompts action. Voluntarily impoverishing himself, Zaccheus shows that he, too, will live by faith—faith that demonstrates its true character in action. Thus, Zaccheus's faith also benefits the community around him. At some point after Jesus invites himself to the tax collector's home, Zaccheus rises—uncoerced, unadmonished, and unprompted—and commits himself to doing justice. For Zaccheus, justice rolls down like waters from the hospitality of Jesus, and it flows into his own faithful demonstration of hospitality towards others: he shares his wealth and restores what was ill-gotten.
"Salvation has come to this house"—all in response to a meal. Now that’s something to imagine! Rather than hoarding resources in a self-centered world it is the gift of hospitality—giving both emotional and physical nurture—that proves the vessel for transformation.
Father, God, I give You thanksgiving for being the Source of the gifts given me, enabling my do–it-yourself independence. Thank You for the faithful witness of Zaccheus which offers a sobering challenge to my value as a means and opportunity for sharing. Thank You for my father and mother that remind me from an early age to “do unto others as I would have it done unto me.” I’m not always there yet, so I ask Your forgiveness, and invite Your Holy Spirit’s continued work in my life. Amen
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