人類的文明和進步，除了是累積前人的成果，站在「巨人的肩上」之外，好奇心是重要的推動力之一。因為前人的權威，往往是後世進步的絆腳石。自然科學的歷史中，有很多革命性的進步，都不是另起爐灶而來的；而是當舊有的權威不足以處理新現象時，科學家惟有另尋出路了！新現象是從哪來的？好奇心！當然，不是所有的好奇心都會帶來好的效果，例如厄娃的好奇心。不過，沒有犯錯，人類又怎能改善和進步呢？
那些人的好奇心最大呢？當然是小孩子！成年人認為是理所當然的事，例如日出日落，小孩子卻視為奇蹟。成年人不理會的花鳥蟲魚，小孩子會認真地觀察和欣賞！他們沒有機心，不去計算成本效益。在他們充滿神奇事物的宇宙裡，享受好奇心所帶來的樂趣！所以耶穌基督告訴我們：「誰若不像小孩子一樣接受天主的國，決不能進去。」（路18：17）
從另一個角度看，匝凱所得到的，不是幾分鐘的「驚鴻一瞥」，而是永恆的救恩。看來，匝凱仍是匝凱，不愧是一個老謀深算的稅吏長！
主啊，雖然我沒有匝凱的家財，但我不介意爬上野桑樹上，渴望見祢一面。希望祢不嫌棄，光臨寒舍。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：Wikipedia
Was Zacchaeus Calculating? (Luke 19:1-10)
Human civilization and progress rely not only on accumulating the fruits of predecessors and standing on the shoulder of giants, but curiosity is also an important contributor. It's because the authority of predecessors has often proved to be stumbling blocks of subsequent generations. In the history of natural sciences, many revolutionary progresses did not come about by reinventing the wheel. Rather, when authorities of previous generations were found inadequate in handling newly found phenomena, scientists were forced to break new paths. From where did those new phenomena come? Curiosity! Of course, curiosity does not guarantee to bring good consequences, e.g. Eva's curiosity. However, had men not made mistakes, would they have improved and made progress?
Whose curiosity is the greatest? Of course children's! Things which adults take for granted, such as sunrise and sunset, are wonders in children's eyes. Flowers, birds, insects and fish which adult don't bother are objects of serious observation and admiration for children who don't calculate costs and benefits. In their universe which is filled with wonders, children enjoy the happiness brought about by curiosity. Thus Jesus Christ tells us, "Whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it" (Luke 18:17)
Today, Zacchaeus the wealthy chief tax collector (19:2) paid a huge price for his curiosity! Who would take half of his possessions in exchange for a glimpse of Jesus for just a few minutes? As a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus must have been a calculating man, good at calculating costs and benefits. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been chief! Of course, nobody is able to outwit God who has a lot of surprises in store, a mystery we can never fathom. Had Zacchaeus known beforehand how much it would cost him, would he have cancelled the whole curious idea? But God is merciful. He is attractive and capable of turning a calculating chief tax collector into a child, not calculating costs and benefits but willing to offer up half of his possessions to enter the Kingdom of God! "Today, salvation has come to this house" (19:9)
Seen from another perspective, Zacchaeus had secured not a few minutes' glimpse but an eternal salvation. Zacchaeus is after all Zacchaeus, a calculating chief tax collector!
Lord! Though I'm not as wealthy as Zacchaeus, I don't mind climbing a sycamore tree in order to see You. I pray You don't mind staying at my house. Amen.
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