Climbing trees was a sport of youth. I remember a cousin climbing a pine tree, getting impossibly high. I tried to follow, but common sense overcame the adventure, fear overwhelmed courage, and I was soon on the ground again. Zaccheaus climbed a tree, not for the adventure of climbing, but for an opportunity to see Jesus for himself, anonymously. He was something of a voyeur, wanting to see while not being seen, not really interacting with the situation. Jesus, to the surprise and chagrin of the crowd, stops under the tree, exposes Zacheaus, and invites himself to his house. Its all quite alarming for everyone. This Sunday we will consider Jesus actions and our response to them.
