Leader

Right, now, we’ve read the passage of scripture that tells us the story of Zacchaeus, and I’m going to ask that we might share our insights as we feel led so to do. Richard, Graham, any suggestions?

[Pause]

Graham

Well, I was thinking ...

Leader

Yes, Graham, go ahead.

Richard

Yeah?

Graham

Well, I was thinking that Zacchaeus was up a tree, and a tree’s got leaves, right?

Leader

Yes?

Graham

Yes, and God leaves us to deal with certain things on their own. He leaves us, doesn’t he?

Richard

Shakes his head looks puzzled

Leader

Well, isn’t that interesting? Isn’t that interesting? Do you know – I never made that connection before. Leaves on the tree, and he leaves us. [Pause]

Graham

And I’ve noticed that Zacchaeus begins with the last letter of the alphabet, and when you think of it, the last thing God wants us to do is to disobey him. It’s the last thing God wants us to do and Zacchaeus begins with the last letter of the alphabet. The last thing God wants us to do is disobey him [Dramatic pause] to leave him.

Leader

Yes, yes ... I had never seen that before ... of course. [Pause] Richard, you haven't said much. [Patronising] Who was it that was up the tree?

Richard

Um well Zacchaeus... [Looks confused]

Leader

Yes yes, and what was he doing?

Graham

Well he was climbing a tree wasn’t he Will?

Richard

But...

Leader

Indeed. [pause] I was reading my commentaries in preparation. Zacchaeus is in fact a type, a prefiguration of Christ. And we can see that his struggle in climbing the tree is symbolic of Jesus’s struggle in the desert.

Graham

We must not let the devil tempt us from the path God has chosen. And as Jesus refuted the devil with the sword of God’s word so should we.

Leader

Exactly. Graham has hit the nail on the head. Which is why these bible studies are so important and should be central part of your life. In fact, Richard, I was worried last week when you didn’t turn up. We’ll have to lay hands on you later.

Richard

I was out for a friend’s birthday, down the pub.

Leader

Haven't you learnt anything from Zacchaeus? – We have to escape the evils of this world, each by climbing our own tree.

Graham

I’m not entirely sure what my tree is. But I pray that God reveals it to me so that I can climb it.[Smug]

Richard

Are you sure that this is what the passage is about? I had always thought that Zacchaeus was more about that if we search out God he will greet and welcome us. My translation...

Leader

Lets have a look at that. Oh yes, the PUT - the Pentecostal Unabridged Translation, I think it’s a bit dodgy. Personally I’d place it just below the GET, the Gender Equality Translation. And it certainly isn’t a UCCF ratified translation. I prefer DUST – the Dictatorial UCCF Standard Translation.

Graham

Amen!

Richard

[Fuming] This isn’t about translations, this is about a the lowest of the low, tax collector being accepted.

Graham

Thanks for that Richard but you should realise that myself and Will are committee members and that therefore we are more spiritually mature, leading the CU in all our wisdom. [Pause] Uh... God’s wisdom.

Leader

Well, I think that we’ve uncovered the meaning of Zacchaeus, and the Spirit has revealed that God intends us all to be like Zacchaeus, obviously not physically short, but spiritually short ... and yearning to grow taller. Let’s close in prayer, particularly remembering Richard in this time of translation rebellion.

Right. Lets close in prayer for Richard

Lord – three in one almighty – we here gathered together in the presence of your word ask that you reveal its true meaning to our sinful brother Richard; that he might find repentance under the shadow of your wings see the error of his ways and enter, humbled yet hopeful, into a time of renewed joy and strength in your presence. Thank you, Lord, for giving us the gift of your true, infallible and revealing word that strips away all darkness and uncertainty from our life.

Leader and Graham

Amen