May 29, 2002
Reading
“So he ran ahead and
climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him” (4)
Zacchaeus was short in stature, which, on this occasion, proved to be a problem. He wanted to see Jesus, but the crowd pushed him to the back. His desire to see Jesus was too great for him to be daunted by this problem, so he found a way to overcome it. Our text tells us, “He ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree to see Him.”
As Christians, we desire to see Jesus and to know Him more intimately. Paul said, “Everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” Phil 3:8 (The Living Bible). His driving force in life was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (10). As Christians, we love to quote this scripture, but sometimes we need to run a check on ourselves. How deep is our desire to know Jesus more intimately? How close do we come to the commitment Paul made when he said, “Everything else is worthless?” Do we consider knowing Jesus as a “priceless gain?” How easily does the crowd derail us from our purpose? We find an obstacle in our way and quit the race. Zacchaeus did not turn away disappointed and disgruntled – he found a way to fulfill his desire – he climbed up a sycamore tree!
As we seek to know Jesus better, we
will encounter many obstacles. Paul uses the analogy of a race. He reminded the
Christians at
Some find prayer is the way – communication
with God. Paul exhorts us to “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes
5:17. “He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, he shall see His face
with joy” Job 33:26. “Let us therefore
come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Heb
For some, Bible reading and study is the time when they feel close to the Lord. The Holy Spirit inspires the scriptures, and He uses them to speak to the hearts and minds of His people. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” John 5:39. If your desire is to know Jesus better, why not read the book that tells us about Him?
For others, fellowship with
Christians who share the same desire is the means by which they draw close to
God. This was such an integral part of the early church – “And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers” Acts
A friend told me his ‘sycamore tree’ is being still before the Lord. “Be still, and know that I am God” Ps 46:10. Meditation is not only for the eastern religions, it is a means by which we can draw near to God. “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening” Gen 24:63. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things” Phil 4:8.
I would like to hear from you on this matter – what are (is) your sycamore trees? May God grant us an orchard.