He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1-10
As we passed through Jericho, we made time to stop and see the sycamore tree that Zacchaeus had climbed to see Jesus as he was passing through. It was amazing and almost unfathomable that we were standing under this tree that had been around for thousands of years.
To look up from the base of the tree up to the branches, and picture a man climbing to be able to see Jesus as he passed through.
As I reflect more and more on Zacchaeus’ story, I see that we are very much like him.
Zacchaeus was a sinner. He was a rich sinner. I am a sinner. I am not “rich” by worldly measures, but I can be greedy. I sometimes find myself in a pattern of looking out for myself, and not looking out for the needs of others.
Zacchaeus wanted to see what was going on as the crowds surrounded Jesus. He wanted to be a part of what was happening. It’s human nature. I scroll through social media, looking into the lives of those I am friends with/follow to see what is going on. In public places I’ll be intrigued by large crowds or something happening around me – so much so that I want to know every detail of what’s happening.
Zacchaeus was seeking to see Jesus, that he climbed a tree to get a glimpse of him. We all have a yearning for purpose, for fulfillment, for clarity, for peace, for love, for truth. And sometimes we go to extremes to find that. We climb a tree, we go out on a limb.
Jesus invited himself into Zacchaeus’ home. Jesus wants to be a part of our lives. Despite being a sinner, Jesus entered Zacchaeus’ life. And Jesus wants to do the same with you. Nothing can separate you from God’s love, and he’s standing at the door, ready to enter your heart.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Lord, we are Zacchaeus, searching, seeking, climbing to find a hope, a truth, a reason. We are longing for You. Fill our hearts, wrap us in Your arms, bring us peace. Remind us of the scriptures, that nothing will be able to separate us from Your love for us. Amen.
Abbey Jo
Adventures with Abbey Jo 
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