To see Jesus-The story of Zacchaeus

“And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:1-6)

Remember the song you sang in Sunday school about Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree? There is a lot to learn from that song.

Before I even crawled out of bed this morning for my time with the Lord He placed the above passage on my heart so I felt I must look deeper into it.

We read above about Jesus passing through the city of Jericho. There was a tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus who was “seeking” Jesus. Because the man was short and there was a large crowd in the way he climbed up into a sycamore tree. Now I need to stop right there.

Here was a man that had obviously heard of Jesus or he wouldn’t have taken the measures he did to see him. Maybe he heard about how he had forgiven prostitutes, sinners, and other tax collectors. Maybe he heard about the Lord Jesus performing miracles and healing the sick. Maybe he heard about Jesus commanding devils out of people and seeing them set free. Whatever the case, Zacchaeus had to see this Jesus and see him for himself! He couldn’t just go by what everybody else said. He had to make it personal! As Zacchaeus was trying to see the Lord there were obstacles in his way but he didn’t allow these obstacles from keeping him from seeing the savior. He did what he had to do and climbed up in a dirty sycamore tree. This rich tax collector humbled himself and climbed into a tree to see Jesus.

Now this man was a sinner and yet he went the desperate route. How much more should the righteous find him!? So what about you and me? What obstacles are in your way today that would try to keep you from Jesus? Is it time management or priorities? Is it excuses? Is it the hordes of hell? Is it criticism? Is it condemnation? Is it man-made traditions? Is it religion?

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.”

We read that when Jesus was passing by he took notice of Zacchaeus. Certainly so. Everyone else was on the ground but only Zacchaeus took such desperate measures to see Jesus and he (Jesus) took notice! Let me encourage you, when you take desperate measures to seek Jesus he will take notice! He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Maybe you have felt like you have “climbed trees”. Maybe you have prayed and prayed and fasted and fasted and nothing seems to be working. Be encouraged, Jesus is walking down the road and will see your faith, persistence, and heart for Him! He will reward you! Don’t climb down yet, Jesus is coming by!