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Mission Fulfilled By Charles Mills
Charles Mills is the author of more than 50 published books and over 300 articles. Mills began his career at Faith for Today and the Adventist Media Center in Newbury Park, California. For the past 35 years, he has been an independent media producer, writer, and radio/television host.
8 Pacific Union Recorder
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hat’s a church supposed to do in a world poisoned by racism, discrimination, and injustice? Jesus provides a blueprint for action. Like the song says, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man.” He was small both in stature and in character. As chief tax collector, he went around forcing his fellow countrymen to pay taxes to the despised Romans who forcefully occupied their land. He often collected more than necessary, making himself very wealthy. Is it any wonder the Jewish people despised him? One day, as recorded in Luke chapter 19, Zacchaeus was in Jericho doing what he did best when he heard that Jesus, the famous rabbi who healed the sick, was passing through. Taxman Zacchaeus decided he wanted to see this popular stranger. But being a wee little man, standing in a curious crowd afforded him a perfect view of backs and bellies. Never letting his lack of height interfere with his tall plans, he looked around for a solution and found it towering nearby. Sycamore fig trees dotted the landscape, and just down the road was a wonderful specimen, complete with sturdy branches and enough leaves to hide his curiosity. Along came the Master Teacher, surrounded by attentive disciples. Zacchaeus smiled inwardly. He’d found the best seat in the house for the spectacle unfolding below him. Reaching the tree, Jesus suddenly stopped. Slowly, with a smile spreading across His face, He looked up—right at Zacchaeus. The taxman grinned self-consciously. “Hello,” he called down, suddenly wishing he were much smaller than he already was. “Zacchaeus,” the Master Teacher called, “come down immediately. I
