Little Man, Big Difference!

The story of Zacchaeus is one I remember from a very early age. This is probably due to the children's song about his story of being "a wee little man" and climbing the sycamore tree to see Jesus over the heads of the crowd along that Jericho road. As I look back on singing that song with finger pointing at Zacchaeus in the tree, our voices sounded more like a scolding for him to come down rather than the invitation Jesus made to go to his house. However, the lesson drawn from the story of this "wee little man" is a large one for all of us.

We read. . .
"(1) He [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through. (2) And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was A CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR and WAS RICH. (3) And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he WAS SMALL OF STATURE. (4) So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way." ( Luke 19:1-4 ESV)

When we think about Zacchaeus, there were a number of things stacked against him. First of all, he was noted as a "chief tax collector." ( Luke 19:2) For the most part tax collectors were despised. Even the leadership of that day looked down upon such, classifying them along with other "sinners." (i.e. Luke 15:1-2 & 19:7)

Secondly, he was rich. ( Luke 19:2) Wealth presents many challenges ( 1 Timothy 6:10), the worst of which is keeping some from accepting the truth of God's kingdom and thus the hope of the salvation He extends. ( Luke 18:24) Possessions have a way of getting in the way of following the Lord as we ought. (note Luke 12:13-21 & 18:22-25)

Thirdly, Zacchaeus was vertically challenged. That is a nice way of saying he was short. He is described by Luke as being "small of stature." ( Luke 19:3) Nevertheless, Zacchaeus was determined and gained a vantage point from the branches of a sycamore tree.

Though Zacchaeus "was small of stature", he was big on vision. The thing that made the difference for him is that with open eyes and heart "HE WAS SEEKING to see who Jesus was." ( Luke 19:3) In spite of the odds that may have been against him, it was his SEEKING that brought Him to the Lord.

Let us remember that our Lord has promised. . .
"(9) And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; SEEK, AND YOU WILL FIND; knock, and it will be opened to you. (10 For everyone who asks receives, and THE ONE WHO SEEKS FINDS, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." ( Luke 11:9-10 ESV)

Yes, we do need to be mindful with regard to what it is we are SEEKING. However, as we continue to SEEK Jesus, the truth relative to Him and our relationship with Him, and also the Will of God -- Jesus assured, "you will find." Zacchaeus did and it made all the difference in his life. For him it was a life-changing encounter. (note Luke 19:8-9) His own SEEKING brought him into direct contact with the One Who had come to "SEEK AND TO SAVE the lost" ( Luke 19:10) and through that encounter we see Zacchaeus move from the smallness of a focus on self, to Jesus, and then to others. As we continue to SEEK Jesus and all the truth associated with Him, we also will find the transformation of our life becoming more and more what He desires it to be.

Have a great day WITH JESUS ENLARGING OUR LIFE!
Carl

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