Danny Fourie

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. Luke 19:4

We have talked about the tax collector Zacchaeus before. He wanted to see Jesus and climbed into a tree along the trail that Jesus followed. Jesus, as it appears from Matthew 21:31-32, was apparently on good terms with the tax collectors and prostitutes. Probably this was the reason why Zacchaeus too wanted to see Jesus in the flesh.

Perhaps Zacchaeus was just curious. I do not think he had much of a deeper spiritual need to see Jesus. What is true is that when he saw Jesus from the tree where he sat, he found a totally new life. Was he looking for Jesus? I do not think so. Actually he had other motives that are not clear to us. But in the process he found Jesus.

The reason why Zacchaeus found Jesus was because Jesus himself sought Zacchaeus. When Jesus and the group passed under the tree where Zacchaeus was sitting, Zacchaeus did not call for Jesus’ attention. No, because that was not the reason why Zacchaeus was sitting in the tree. He wanted to see Jesus, but he did not really want to get that close to Jesus.

However, Jesus decided to call out to Zacchaeus. It is noteworthy that Jesus called him by his name. We are not just faces in a crowd. To him we are people whom he knows by name. He wants to take part in our personal lives. Today. “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus, I stand at the door of your heart, open the door to your heart for me, today.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus that you come looking for me, that you call out to me. Help me to make you part of my life today. Amen