Desperate Measures

Desperate Measures

Luke 19:2-4, NKJV

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

Setting the Scene

Zacchaeus set out on a mission. He “sought to see who Jesus was,” to find out for himself if what he had heard about Jesus was true. He was simply curious.

Zacchaeus had two problems: He was short and he had alienated almost everyone he met on the street. Imagine a short person showing up at a parade, discovering that the whole crowd lining the streets is made up of people he has offended. The spectators that day in Jericho were in no mood to let Zacchaeus see anything other than their backs. His height disadvantage insured that unless he was allowed close to the road, he would not be able to see Jesus’ passage.

In that moment when curiosity was battling with rejection, Zacchaeus came up with a creative alternative. If he couldn’t get through the crowd, maybe he could get above it! The overhanging branches of a sycamore tree along the road offered a tempting view if only he could climb up. Those who fail to find humor in the Bible haven’t paused long enough to consider the sight of a middle-aged man awkwardly ascending a tree and gingerly crawling out on a limb to a precarious perch above the road. Zacchaeus probably expected nothing except to see Jesus pass by. But God had other plans for him.

Getting Personal

What personal shortcoming have you faced as you have sought Jesus?

When has pursuing knowledge about the Lord put you in a somewhat precarious situation? What happened?

Zacchaeus set out to see Jesus, not necessarily to know him. Given his current status in the city, he would not have expected anything except rejection from Christ. It would be fascinating to know what was going through his mind as he hung on to that branch!

Talking to God

There is always more to the Lord than we have already understood. Ask him to open your eyes to truths about him and his character, especially as you study Jesus’ life and teachings.