Zacchaeus

The other night Leah asked could we read some in the Bible together. I was very happy to read with her, see she wanted to do the reading and I was to listen. It was so cute she said I have had this scripture on my mind for weeks.

We turned to Luke 19 and she began reading about Zacchaeus, I am sure many of you know who Zacchaeus is and how he heard about Jesus passing by. But because he was of small stature and the crowd was so great. He knew that he wouldn't be able to see Jesus unless he got above the crowd. He decided that he better climb up into a Sycamore tree. Sure enough He seen Jesus. In fact Jesus stopped where Zacchaeus was and ask him to come down. Zacchaeus did and Jesus went to be a guest at his house.

I paraphrased quite a bit above but you can click here to read Luke 19, but as I was listening, I got to thinking.

Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus. Do I have such a desire to see the Lord, that I seek to find the place in my heart where I can receive Him.

Zacchaeus met Jesus in an amazing and personal way. I do know the Lord as my Saviour. But, since that day, He has met with me in amazing ways. Comforted me, strengthen me, loved me, corrected me, protected me, provided for me. Many ways, but I wonder if there have been times He wanted to meet my need but I've not been willing to meet with Him.

Zacchaeus received Him joyfully. Do I come before the Lord joyfully ready to meet with Him? Nope sometimes my burdens seem so great, I don't begin praying with thanksgiving & praise to Him. I just begin telling Him all of my cares and heartaches. Joyfully seems to be a back burner during those times.  But I've never given Him a burden that He didn't meet sufficiently.

Something else about this Scripture that I thought was interesting.
They murmured because Jesus went to be a guest of a man that is a sinner.  Luke 19:7.  It's possible they were jealous of the relationship that Jesus had wth Zacchaeus, that He spent time with a man they didn't think was worthy enough. How prideful they were.
Aren't ya glad that the Lord is willing to meet with ole sinners. Oh, He would have met with them too if they had been willing instead of prideful. He knows we sin, have faults and failures. Yet, He is willing to meet with us.

Just like Zacchaeus was never the same, neither are we after we spend time with the Lord.

Spend some time with the Lord today. I promise you'll be glad you did.

Blessings Friend!!!!!