Looking The Fool

We live in a world where image is everything.  In the realm of politics, it is called "optics."  The meaning behind that word is doesn't matter what you really believe or do, it is what it looks like you believe or are doing that is important.  Politicians become masters of the photo op, that thing they do for the benefit of the camera that sends an image of what they want people to believe.

We may not have a press corps following us to snap photos as we visit a monument or stop by a hospital or shake someone's hand, we are aware that people are watching and opinions are being formed, and yes, cell phones may be at the ready for the next FaceBook or YouTube contribution.

The point is that we allow what people will think to determine what we will do rather than do what we think we should do.  We say things like, "I would but what will people say?" or "I don't want to go but what will people think if I don't show up?"  And, God forbid, that we would do anything that would make us look foolish in the eyes of others - even if they are fools.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector in a time when tax collectors were notorious for the way they abused their power, taking more than due and lining their own pockets with the hard-earned money of people who had little to live on to begin with.  Zacchaeus knew that the people hated him and would love catch him looking a fool in order to ridicule him, extracting a humiliation tax from him.

Nonetheless, when Jesus was passing by, being too short to see over the crowd, he climbed a tree to be able to get a glance.  Little man up in a tree - he placed himself in a perfect spot to be ridiculed.  Not only would the crowd of people be pointing, what exactly would the Rabbi have to say about this display?  Imagine the optics of this moment and the possible backlash.

It was very risky business indeed but Zacchaeus willing rolled the dice, not caring if they came up seven or snake eyes, he was willing to risk whatever was necessary in order to see Jesus.  The result was nothing he would have guessed.  Oh, the Rabbi pointed him out on the tree, calling him out by name, but not to ridicule him but to reward him.  "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5).

Zacchaeus risked looking the fool in the eyes of everyone in order to allow his eyes to see Jesus.  The result was that Jesus saw him and loved what he saw - someone willing to risk it all in the pursuit of doing what he believed he ought.  I want to be a fool like that, I want to always be willing to look the fool in pursuit of focusing on Jesus.  I want to be a disciple who dares to be different.  Jus' Sayn.