Nov 21, 2023Liked by Phillip Hadden, Judson Carroll
Okay. The reason Jesus was merciful with the tax collector is because he was truly seeking him. He went to where Jesus was and literally went out on a limb! The tax collector repented and made reparation for his sin. Jesus never said continue in your sin. The tax collector came to be changed by Jesus - how? By the removal of his sins.
"The mercy of God is our true and only hope" says it all very well! Excellent reflection!! And lets us remember that we are called to do and be the same - loving and merciful!
It’s a phrase I’ve heard in the past to talk about the Cross, the Tree of Shame. After all, crucifixion was a shameful death.
With regards to the fig tree, it was its leaves which covered the shame of Adam and Eve. So I believe that the fig tree is symbolically the Tree of Shame too.
I haven’t seen anyone else make that connection, but I’m sure a writer must have done in the past.
I find this is a helpful connection in the story Zacchaeus.
Okay. The reason Jesus was merciful with the tax collector is because he was truly seeking him. He went to where Jesus was and literally went out on a limb! The tax collector repented and made reparation for his sin. Jesus never said continue in your sin. The tax collector came to be changed by Jesus - how? By the removal of his sins.
"The mercy of God is our true and only hope" says it all very well! Excellent reflection!! And lets us remember that we are called to do and be the same - loving and merciful!
The fig tree, in the story of Zacchaeus, is symbolically the Tree of Shame.
Christ tells him to come down. Because it is only He who climbs the Tree of Shame, the Cross.
Do you have a reference to “the tree of shame?” I did a google search for “Tree of Shame & I didn’t see any reference.
I did find reference to the cross & Isaiah 61 about righteous oaks being planted by God.
It’s a phrase I’ve heard in the past to talk about the Cross, the Tree of Shame. After all, crucifixion was a shameful death.
With regards to the fig tree, it was its leaves which covered the shame of Adam and Eve. So I believe that the fig tree is symbolically the Tree of Shame too.
I haven’t seen anyone else make that connection, but I’m sure a writer must have done in the past.
I find this is a helpful connection in the story Zacchaeus.