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).\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Also, Rainbow has been an environment that allowed me to do this and even to present them.<\/p>\n
This phrase, Lunch with the Christ, somehow said something to me.\u00a0 The simplicity of it.\u00a0 The connection that it made. \u00a0\u00a0The sheer humanity of Jesus.\u00a0 To be honest, I respond far more to the humanity of Jesus than to Diety of Jesus.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoing lunch\u201d or \u201cgetting coffee\u201d are ways that I enjoy connecting with people (several of you probably know this only too well).\u00a0 I especially seem to need those kinds of connections with other men.\u00a0 This phrase, this lunch with the Christ, seemed to tell me that Jesus might have had similar needs as me.\u00a0 He also wanted to connect; he also needed some time with someone.\u00a0 Otherwise he would have simply made a pronouncement or paused for a \u201cteachable moment\u201d and passed by that tree with Zaccheaus in it.<\/p>\n
So, if Jesus wanted that time, a sort of connection, I think that Zach must have sensed it somehow.\u00a0 Fortunately he had that sense at the same time that Jesus realized that Zach was open just enough to stop and take the time.\u00a0 This simple little \u201csense of the moment by two very unique and different men\u201d made a great deal of difference to Zaccheaus later.\u00a0 I also think that it made a difference to Jesus.<\/p>\n