[Pearls Episode 143: Answering atheism Tuesday.]
We’ve been looking at the story of Zacchaeus. As a “chief tax collector” Zacchaeus would have had worldly consolations at his fingertips – wealth, servants, influence.
But worldly consolations mostly appease “the flesh” – the fallen aspect of our human nature that leads us into sin and prevents us from experiencing happiness as our true self – the self that God created us to be.
Dietrich von Hildebrand, the great prophet of emotions, places his finger on why the passing pleasures and distractions of the world are directly opposed to happiness – “Can anyone doubt that the deepest source of earthly happiness is the authentic, deep mutual love between persons, be it conjugal love or friendship? In Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony we hear the words:
Yea, if any hold in keeping,
Only one heart all his own,
Let him join us, or else weeping,
Steal from out our midst, unknown.”
We are made for authentic relationship. Relationship with others – but especially, relationship with God.
What else is modern history teaching us? Just look at the lockdowns – there will never be a full accounting of the human devastation wrought by the social isolation. And that is a mere shadow of the broader devastation of the last 50 years of the secular culture isolating itself from its Creator.
Zacchaeus came to his senses, climbed a sycamore tree, and said “yes” to the one thing, the one Person, that could bring him true meaning and happiness.
Here’s the thing, if we could transport ourselves back into Zacchaeus’ world and survey the people who knew him – especially the ones he extorted for his personal enrichment – they would probably tell us that Zacchaeus was a man beyond hope.
Just so, it can be easy to look at the fallen (and still descending) world around us and wonder if there’s still hope. The story of Zacchaeus is a reminder to increase our prayers and offerings, and expect to be pleasantly surprised by who we find climbing trees.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life