Rachelle and I each have what we would consider an above average super-famous relative. Mine is Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. Rachelle's famous relative has songs and folklore to go along with his famous persona... Davy Crockett. I have to admit, John Wayne never played Robert Morris in a movie, but both hold an amazing place in our nation's history.For Rachelle, our visit this summer to the Alamo was a special experience. Out in front of this one time mission just to the right in our picture, Davy Crockett met death in a battle for Texas Independence. He wasn't even a Texan, but fought for their freedom. Certainly, the word hero is an adequate description of his life.
Robert Morris, on the other hand, didn't die in a great battle. In his time, he earned the title "Financier of the Revolution." At the time of the Revolution, he was a very wealthy man, but in personal sacrifice he gave all he had for the success of the young nation and died penniless.
Fame certainly has a price to it. On the one hand, who would not want the accolades of the masses that accompanies an 8 gold medal Olympian, but its that other hand, constant photography, every move dissected, every failure magnified and every success minimized. It's the price of fame.
Jesus knew that price all too well, the cheers and the jeers...the joy and the sacrifice. We climb our ladders hoping to be famous, if not in the whole world, at least in our company, school, or circle of friends. We want our names to mean something. John, the Baptizer, said it best though; "He must increase, I must decrease."
Zacchaeus never got that until something amazing happened. Its not that Jesus offered to come dine with him, the real turning point came when Jesus uttered one word..."Zacchaeus..." (Luke 19). To know that Jesus knew his name...what else could ever matter? What other pursuit could replace that moment of awareness?
I am honored to have such great men in our family tree, and I have no doubt we will continue to debate the merits of the greater ancestor, but I am beyond honored to know that Jesus knows my name.
