“He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’” Luke 19:1-10
The story of Zacchaeus is a tale of “seeking” and “sought.” Zacchaeus was seeking a view to see this Jesus. He didn’t realize that his heart was seeking more than just to catch a glimpse. From simple curiosity, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to ‘see who Jesus was.’ Jesus sought more from Zacchaeus than to allow him to be a spectator. Reading this chapter, we see that Jesus was passing though, or was He? Obviously, Jesus knew Zacchaeus would be ahead along the road. Jesus ‘sought’ a meeting with this short man. Jesus ‘sought’ to save this ‘son of Abraham.” Jesus passed through Jericho because He ‘sought’ out a lost sheep of His flock.
He doesn’t do anything by accident. Jesus didn’t wander through Samaria and happen to find the woman at the well. Nor, did He wander aimlessly past a tree and happen to see this man dangling from a branch.
I sit here this morning in tears at the thought of being sought out by Jesus. For three decades I wandered aimlessly in my sin. I wasn’t much unlike Zacchaeus. I’m his sin, he was lost and outcast from all respectable people and from the Church. I wanted nothing to do with the Church nor Jesus. I was ‘happy’ in my sin. I wasn’t ‘seeking’ Jesus at all. If He had passed by the town I was in, I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to see Him and especially not climb a tree. But, Jesus ‘sought’ me. He went out of His way though I didn’t look to seek Him.
At the right time, Jesus looked up and pointed at me. ‘Ed, hurry and come, I’ve sought to be with you.” The one of ninety nine couldn’t be more surprised than Zacchaeus and I to hear our name called out by the Lord. “Who me? Why me? Do you know who I am and what I’ve done?” Jesus just smiles and says, “of course, you’re My son, I came along this way because I knew you’d be here. Now, come here.”
Place yourself in the tree watching the road over the crowd to catch a glimpse. How would you react when Jesus turns His head to look directly at you. Then, He calls your name and invites you to join Him for dinner. Your treat for the meal but the Grace, Mercy of Salvation is on Him.
With Christmas and the birth of Jesus coming shortly, reflect upon the fact that Jesus, God Incarnate, left Heaven’s glory and angelic praises because He sought you.