156: Step Aside
When I turned five years old, my parents took me to Disney World for the very first time. Now, this wasn’t as big a trip as you might imagine; I grew up in Orlando, FL, so we simply got in the car, drove 30 minutes down the highway, and spent my birthday at Magic Kingdom. I don’t remember a ton about that particular day, but I do remember three things: a huge rainbow lollipop I couldn’t finish {despite my best efforts}, a stuffed Dalmatian I picked out as my souvenir, and the iconic Main Street afternoon parade.
Oddly enough, I remember the parade because I struggled to actually see it. We weren’t one of the families who staked out their spot early; instead, we arrived right as the floats and characters were beginning to pass through, and by that time, the crowd was thick. I was a three-and-a-half-foot tall five year old and we were stuck in the very back. The odds of a good view were definitely not in my favor and once I realized this, I became upset. We’d arrived too late and it seemed I would miss out; there was no space left for me to see.
In one way or another, we all know what that’s like—to experience an obstructed view. When someone or something keeps us from seeing what it is we hope to see. And when I remember experiences like that, I can’t help but think of Zacchaeus from the gospel of Luke.
In our last episode, we considered a passage that tells the story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus. In my own life, from a very young age, this has been a familiar story turned catchy tune.
Jesus is coming to town, and Zacchaeus tries to join the crowd waiting and hoping to see Jesus. However, because he is on the shorter side, he can’t see past everyone and resorts to climbing a tree to ensure he is able to see. It turns out, Jesus sees Zacchaeus, invites himself over for dinner, and ends up changing Zacchaeus’ life for the better.
Now, typically when I read this story {or sing the song!}, I’m drawn to a few different things: the eagerness of Zacchaues to catch a glimpse of Jesus; the way Jesus truly sees Zacchaeus and his willingness to engage; and of course the transformation that Zacchaeus experiences as he is in the presence of Jesus. I could go on. There is so much to notice in this passage. And if we were sitting across from each other right now, I’d be so curious to know what stands out to you.
As I’ve considered this passage recently, I’ve noticed something I’ve never really paid much attention to. And that is the role of the crowd.
We read that Zacchaeus climbed the sycamore tree because he was short in stature; he wasn’t physically tall enough to see beyond the crowd. But it’s also interesting to consider that part of the reason he couldn’t see beyond the crowd was because the crowd wasn’t making any room for him.
Now, it could be they simply didn’t notice that Zacchaeus was trying to find a place among them; that is certainly a possibility. And… I also wonder if his “chief tax collector” title had anything to do with it.
Because as a tax collector—and a chief tax collector at that—Zacchaeus was considered a traitor; he was a Jew willingly working with the Roman government. He was also considered to be corrupt; the way he went about accumulating wealth was done without honor, integrity, or generosity. He was despised by his fellow Jews, and for understandable reasons. It is safe to assume he was not just short in stature; he was also short in social status.
He was public enemy number one. From the crowd’s point of view, there was no way someone like Zacchaeus could belong and become a follower of Jesus. So it doesn’t feel like too far of a stretch to consider that, maybe, the crowd was deliberate in not making room for him.
And sometimes, I can’t help but notice how often I do the same. Here’s what I mean:
When there is someone I don’t like, someone I don’t understand, someone I don’t agree with—I have a tendency to assume the worst of them. I dig in my heels and keep them at arms length. After all, there’s no possible way we could relate. And if Jesus wants something to do with me, he couldn’t possibly want anything to do with them…right?
And so I become like that crowd, living as a gatekeeper rather than stepping aside and making room for others to be a part. I forget that transformation is always possible, whether I see the potential for it or not. Whether I see my own need for it or not.
The truth is, Jesus wants something to do with each of us and all of us. So who am I to stand in the way? And what might my role actually be?
In their book, Untamed, authors Alan and Debra Hirsch share these wise words:
As followers of Jesus, “our role is to introduce people to Jesus and Jesus to people, and then, as quickly as possible, move out of the way…
It is about bringing people closer to Jesus… It is about loving people and exposing them to the grace and wonder of God’s heart, helping them see and experience the values of the kingdom and calling forth those values that may lie dormant in their own hearts and lives. It is about letting the beauty of Jesus and his kingdom come through.”
One thing I’m learning is that in order for God’s Kingdom to come through, more often than not, I need to step aside. Make room. Live my life in a way that points people toward God’s heart, and with God’s help, usher them in to see and experience the compelling goodness and love of Jesus.
That day at Disney, when I couldn’t see through the crowd, others noticed. I’m not exactly sure how it happened; my parents probably had something to do with it. But right as I was on the verge of tears, the crowd began to part ever so slightly. Grown-ups all around gently ushered me forward.
“Here, come on by.”
“We can find a place for you up front.”
“You don’t want to miss this.”
And sure enough, I made it to the very front, right at the ropes, side by side with other kids like me. With this new unobstructed view, I could see all the magic of the parade. I mean, its no big deal, but I even made eye contact with Cinderella. I was absolutely delighted. And for me, their willingness to notice and step aside made all the difference.
As followers of Jesus, our role is not to change hearts, but to live as people whose hearts are changing. For the better.
So what might it look like for us to step aside?
It might look like replacing a harsh word with a kind one.
It might look like an invitation. Or a conversation.
It might look like a thoughtful gift or a home-cooked meal.
It might look like seeking to understand rather than control.
It might look like assuming the best instead of the worst.
It might look like refusing to believe rhetoric that vilifies “the other.”
It might look like remembering the image of God within each person and treating them accordingly.
It might look like leading with curiosity and humility rather than judgement and pride.
It might look like continuing to pray for transformation, especially in the places we least expect to see it.
The list goes on. There are countless ways to provide a clearer view of Jesus. May it be so in my life and in yours.
Today, remember to step aside. To make room. To usher in. May we assume the best instead of the worst and trust that God is always moving and at work as together, we embody the character of Jesus and continue to become the people God calls and invites us to be.