Episode Seven: The Man Born Blind
Safina Stewart in conversation with Dr Byron Smith, discussing Jesus' encounter with the man born blind in John 9.
In the fourth episode of our Lent podcast series, Jane Kelly, Common Grace’s Community Organising Lead and Creation and Climate Justice Coordinator joins with Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon, Kabi Kabi, Gurang Gurang and Ambrym Island Elder and pastor at Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries to discuss Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector in Luke 19.
Together, they look again at this well-known Bible passage, to explore its deeper context: a story set under colonisation, exploitation and empire. Uncle Ray invites us to see Zacchaeus not just as a curious man in a tree, but as someone caught in a system harming his own people - and longing for liberation, repentance and restoration. This conversation explores what true repentance looks like, not just words but changed minds, courageous action and repair. It invites us to wrestle with some important questions: What might it mean for the Australian Church to have its own “Zacchaeus moment”? What would extravagant justice, land acknowledgment, and real reconciliation require of us?
Listen to this podcast episode below
You can also download the episode via this Google Drive link.
A transcript of this conversation can be downloaded here.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1-10
Reflect:
How did Uncle Ray's reflection on the passage deepen your understanding of the character of Zacchaeus and his story?
What changed for Zacchaeus when he repented and what strikes you most about these changes?
Jane shared her own story of learning about injustices committed against Australia's First Nations peoples. How did you personally relate to what she said?
Do you feel your church has had a "Zacchaeus moment"? Can you think of a step your community could take in its reconciliation journey?
Pray:
Loving God, help us to deeply consider what it means to repent. Like Zacchaeus, may we come to you fully - ready to make whatever change is necessary, even if there is a cost. Help the Church in Australia to come to terms with its history and make bold moves towards reconciliation and justice. Please empower us to be a part of this journey in our own faith communities. Amen.
Go Deeper:
Common Grace has compiled a collection of theological resources from First Nations perspectives which can be found here, as well as book recommendations which can be found here.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission was Victoria’s and Australia’s first formal truth-telling inquiry into historic and ongoing systemic injustices perpetrated against First Peoples through colonisation. You can find the final report, recommendations and stories from the thousands of people who took part, here.
‘An Indigenous theological revolution’, Soul Search episode presented by Dr Meredith Lake, on the ‘Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution' conference held at the University of Divinity in Naarm on Wurundjeri country (Melbourne, Victoria) in 2024. The episode features Professor Anne Pattel-Gray, Mikenzie Ling, Rhanee Lester, Sandra King OAM, along with Julie Coombs, Joshua Lane, Travis Turner, Kyle Wicker, Ben Van Geldren and Dean Chisholm.
About this Series
This podcast episode has been shared as part of Common Grace's 2026 Lent series, 'Changed Heart/Changed World'. This series journeys through seven Gospel stories where Jesus meets people in moments of struggle, pain, exclusion, or sin - and transforms their lives with healing, forgiveness, and restoration. But these encounters aren’t only personal. Jesus also challenges the social, economic, and religious systems that oppress - breaking through boundaries that keep people from flourishing. Discover with us how a changed heart leads to a changed world, and how encountering Jesus calls us into embodied love for our neighbours, our communities and all creation.
Through Common Grace’s annual Lent series we encourage Christians around Australia to engage with Jesus - hearing his words in the scriptures, invitations to pray, reflections by Christian leaders - all in the hope that we draw closer to Jesus and are sent into his world in beauty, generosity and justice. Explore previous Common Grace Lent series here.
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This podcast series is only possible because of the generosity of many faithful supporters of Common Grace. To contribute to the ongoing work of Common Grace and help many more people be inspired to pursue justice, we'd love you to consider giving a once-off gift or join as a regular donor today.
