Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants
It's the most concise example of a repentant response to God. I just didn't realize until this weekend how much it is like Zacchaeus. When he meets Jesus face to face, his immediate response is radical, he is desperate to lower himself:
Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount
Quite unlike the rich young ruler whose story at first seems contradictory to a grace based faith. Jesus tells him that he must give up his material possessions to be saved, but he is really speaking to his heart. The rich young ruler has no desire to humble himself, he wants to exalt himself with good works. The real issue is that, for Zacchaeus, meeting Jesus was humilating. It is a short story that is easy to add imagined details, but the text is so basic. How does Jesus respond to Zacchaeus? He declares his house has found salvation. He doesn't even say that Zacchaeus's promise is what he wanted from him. But it's clear, Zaccheaeus's heart has changed - he no longer loves his money or position.
Similarly, how does the father respond to his prodigal son? He restores him to his place in the family. It just makes the words of the song (and James 4:10) ring in my head Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. And the rich young ruler...
...the man’s face fell. He went away sad...
I guess encountering Jesus humilated him as well.
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