As many of you know, I have taken the liberty from time to time to write something that particularly strikes me or a season that somehow propels me to write (or when the Worship Committee gets REALLY desperate). Over the years it has been a way for me to try to make sense of being a Christian; trying to make it work out for me. Fortunately, Jan has been a good editor and Robert has patiently cautioned me if I needed it when my theology seemed to be straying just a little too far. Also, Rainbow has been an environment that allowed me to do this and even to present them.
This phrase, Lunch with the Christ, somehow said something to me. The simplicity of it. The connection that it made. The sheer humanity of Jesus. To be honest, I respond far more to the humanity of Jesus than to Diety of Jesus.
“Doing lunch” or “getting coffee” are ways that I enjoy connecting with people (several of you probably know this only too well). I especially seem to need those kinds of connections with other men. This phrase, this lunch with the Christ, seemed to tell me that Jesus might have had similar needs as me. He also wanted to connect; he also needed some time with someone. Otherwise he would have simply made a pronouncement or paused for a “teachable moment” and passed by that tree with Zaccheaus in it.
So, if Jesus wanted that time, a sort of connection, I think that Zach must have sensed it somehow. Fortunately he had that sense at the same time that Jesus realized that Zach was open just enough to stop and take the time. This simple little “sense of the moment by two very unique and different men” made a great deal of difference to Zaccheaus later. I also think that it made a difference to Jesus.
Zacheus come down, he said
I want to have lunch with you
Zacheus come down
Get out of the tree, he said
It’s only lunch after all
Why do you wait? Why do you hesitate?
It’s only lunch with the Christ.
I did not plan to meet the Christ
I was only wondering what he might look like
What he might be like, just a little curious was all
Not a connection to any Christ. I had no other plan
There was no thought
There was no menu
The tea was not made.
My day had only just begun
My schedule, my appointments, what was I to do?
Lunch with the Christ was not in the plans!
We could have met some other way, he could have called or
Sent a note, He didn’t have to impose
There were other options; other places with far more spaces.
Another time would have been better.
Lunch with the Christ was definitely not in the plans!
It is only lunch after all ,
This lunch with the Christ.
These few moments for lunch, maybe to chat
Maybe to hear, maybe to listen, maybe to connect
This lunch with the Christ.
Zacheus come down, he said
Have lunch with the Christ
Have lunch with me
Zacheus, please, I need lunch
I need the time, Zacheus. I need you.
Take a chance, come down from the tree
Have lunch with the Christ, Zacheus
Have lunch with me.
Those words
Those were the ones that brought me down
From that tree
We both need lunch, he said
It’s for both him and me
This lunch between Zacheus and the Christ.
This lunch between him and me.
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