Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday before Advent, when we also celebrate All Saints Day.
Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'. We also have a special service for All Souls at 3 pm at St Thomas' Church, where we light candles and pray for our departed loved ones by name.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "As we are Gathered, Jesus is Here"
Today's Gospel
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.
When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.
All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."
Reflection
This weeks reflection arguably raises more questions than answers. Before we get into that, I’ll start with one of my own. Have you ever wanted something quite badly but can’t put your finger on exactly what it is? Maybe you fancy something different or special for tea and you don’t know what it is until hopefully you see it.
Let’s look at Zacchaeus; he was definitely looking for someone – he was looking for Jesus. But why was he looking for Jesus?
Luke tells us that he was a chief tax-collector and he was rich.
No doubt from cheating the Jews and the Romans. Indeed Zacchaeus half admits this when he later says, “If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Being a chief tax collector, it is reasonable to presume that he was probably middle aged. In my mind's eye, I picture him as quite portly or stout in stature from having a good standard of living and we are told that he was also short.
Zacchaeus is driven for some unknown reason to want to see Jesus as he passed. There is however no suggestion that he actually wanted to meet him face to face. However he was struggling to be able to see Jesus go by because he was too short to see over the crowds and in all likelihood, they may have deliberately prevented him from getting to the front because everyone hated crooked tax-collectors.
In his urge to see Jesus pass by, he decides to run ahead and climb a tree. The sight of this would most probably have been comical - watching a portly, short man running and climbing trees. Moreover, it would have been totally undignified and against the social etiquette of that period in time.
This brings us to some more questions; what did Zacchaeus expect to happen when he had climbed the tree? Did he expect Jesus to see him? Did he expect anyone in the crowd to see him? What did he think would happen as Jesus passed by? We don’t know but clearly he was consumed in his mission to see Jesus at all costs.
I believe the Holy Spirit was deep at work in this poor sinful man. It was the Holy Spirit that was transforming him. Deep down Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner and he may have wanted to change who he was for a long time. He needed that push to answer that nagging feeling deep within him – He needed to listen to his inner voice and guided by the Spirit he was compelled to seek out the one who could help. Jesus was able to open his heart and his mind to transform and release him from his sinful ways and Zacchaeus see what he has to do to receive salvation.
Jesus has opened his heart and mind and for me, this is as significant as the miracle when Jesus cured the blind man and enables him to see again in the previous chapter Luke 18:42.
Jesus has opened Zacchaeus’ eyes as well.
Perhaps if there is a time when we get a nigging itch or feel there is something missing in our lives, or something that we feel needs to change but don’t know what it is - then that is the time for us climb a metaphorical tree and seek the answers we need.
Find a space and look for Jesus in prayer and ask him for guidance – let Jesus be the one to look at you, call you by name and invite himself to stay in your house today. Because Jesus is also looking for you, ‘for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’
I close with some words from Psalm 32:Verses 1 & 6
Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
I said," I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
Help us to understand when you
are nudging us to change direction.
Open our minds to listen to your call,
and our hearts to receive your message.
And give us the courage to respond to your will.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "For all the Saints"
Notices
Next Sunday the 9th November is Remembrance Sunday, and there will be a short, said Parish Eucharist at 9.15 am at St Thomas’, with no service at St Agnes’. We will then assemble outside Lees Library at 10.10 am to process to Lees Cemetery for the joint service of remembrance.
Also next Sunday, the Welcome Eucharist with Bishop Mark for our new Curate in Charge, Revd Kirsten Stott, will be held at 3 pm at St John’s Church, Hey.
