“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.” Luke 19:2-4 NIV
This is the well known story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, having a sincere desire to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was not just any tax collector; he was chief of the tax collectors, he was in a place of authority, others enquired after him, and he was wealthy. Though he had all this, there was still something missing in his life.
While Zacchaeus was great in eye of the public, he was short in stature. His lack in height would have prevented him from seeing Jesus, but his desire to see and know Him was far greater. Like a child, he climbed a tree so that he would be taller than everyone else and therefore able to see Jesus.
Today’s reading reminded me that those who sincerely desire to see Christ will use the proper means for gaining sight of Him, and will break through much difficulty and opposition in order to do so. The result? Christ will take notice, as He did with Zacchaeus, and call us into a further acquaintance with Him.
May our resolve to see Christ in all things be as great as Zacchaeus’. Not finding excuses, but rather over coming our inabilities and obstacles that are in front of us, so that we can see, know, and understand Christ’s goodness. And just like Zacchaeus, Christ will offer us far more than we could ever imagine.
Lock Your Wings 
“After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him.”
Luke 19:47 NLT
It’s interesting how jealousy and anger can take root. Instead of leaning into Jesus’ teachings the leaders were planning his murder?! Seems unbelievable that they were so “educated” in the religious law and yet somehow breaking the commandment “thou shalt not kill” was applicable?! It wasn’t just one person but a group…was their a leader? Did anyone stand up and say “hey guys this isn’t right?” and wasn’t there anyone who believed what Jesus was saying was true? May we not be blind to effective teaching by our own selfish desires and abandonment of truth.
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