THE BEST PLACE TO SEE JESUS

William Andrew Dillard

Well known by children and adults, alike, is the Bible story of Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree, related in Luke 19. Here it is recorded that Jesus entered and passed through Jericho, a singular event for Him.
Now Zacchaeus was a man small of stature, and the fame of Jesus had already spread abroad. A crowd gathered along the street as many, including Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But it was obvious that something had to be done if short Zacchaeus were to succeed.
So, Zacchaeus climbed a nearby sycamore tree, enabling him to see over the crowd, thus achieving his objective. But this would be no normal day for the little man. As Jesus passed that way, He paused and commanded that Zacchaeus come down. Not only did Zacchaeus get to see Jesus, he had the unthinkable blessing of entertaining Him in his home.
There are some important things to note about this historic event that are applicable to men everywhere in this precious age of grace. 1.) A desire to see Jesus was in the heart of Zacchaeus. 2.) He did what he could do in climbing the tree in order to see Him. 3.) He responded to the call of the Master to come down and meet Him personally. 4.) He had a penitent attitude not only toward God, but also toward his fellowmen whom he may have dealt with deceitfully in the past. 5.) He gladly received Jesus into his home, gaining an awesome, unimaginable blessing for time and eternity. In summation, these five things that graced the life of a little Jewish man some 2,000 years ago are the same ones that have graced the lives of millions of ensuing believers. Furthermore, they are those which will still grace the lives of Holy Spirit convicted seekers of the Master and His righteousness.
Truly, it is God Who puts a desire in a person’s heart and mind to want to see Jesus. It is He who calls for men to come down out of their perch and meet the Master, not high in a tree, but low on bended knee. It is He Who graces men with a penitent attitude, and changes life so that it may be lived honestly and separately unto the Lord. Furthermore, it is God who causes us to want to have Him as the Head of our home. It is so true that in His presence is fullness of joy, and the more we learn of Him and His Holy Word, the more we see Jesus in our heart of hearts. Zacchaeus is one of “whomsoever” that Jesus is calling to “come down.” He would abide at your house! Blessed are those who are listening, and responding! They will see Jesus first hand as he is!