But there are just so many people. Everyone wants to see this great rabbi and his height is hindering him from taking even a peek. All of a sudden he noticed this tree, a sycamore tree, with a trunk low enough that he could climb it and branches long enough that would enable him to see through the crowd.

Haven’t you ever felt just like Zacchaeus? Everyone has shunned you, they have all given up. But deep down inside you can sense that there is more to you than your sinfulness. You hear about Jesus and how he can see through your heart and still find someone worth loving. And you desperately look for something that would help you to go near him. You search for that thing that would allow you to learn more because you are so curious to know more.

That is when our sycamore trees come into place. These can be people or even events that somehow give you that boost to help you to know Christ better. People who are sycamore trees may lead us to go to Church or show us a reflection of Jesus. They can be mentors who daily give us an example of how it is to be in the light of His salvation. G

Events can also be sycamore trees. These can be turning points in your life which would finally make you say “Enough. I don’t want this life anymore, I want something more meaningful.” These can be times that make you realize that you are more than just an unclean person and that you want that love that Jesus brings.

God sends us these things in line with his plan for our salvation. They seem to be just the perfect people to bring us closer to him, or an event so timely that it is just the thing you were waiting for. When these sycamore trees come, grab hold of them. Climb them up and use their branches as a support so you can have a better look. He will see you and when He does He will call you by name, just like He called Zacchaeus by name.

Whatever your sycamore tree is, whether it is a close friend or a family member or even an event that has completely changed your life, remember that God put these in your path for a reason. He wants you to see Him better and to have a more intimate relationship with Him. Any hindrance that you think you might have, whether physical or otherwise, does not matter because God has specifically chosen to save you.

Of the entire crowd, Jesus singled out the little man in the sycamore tree and called him by name. That was awesome. Surely, the Lord stepped boldly into Zacchaeus life. The Lord not only invited Himself to his home, He hardly gave the little man time to think twice about it. Some would say that Jesus was a bit bold to presume upon Zacchaeus. Telling a host he must open his home to you? That was bold, but it was the boldness of love. Jesus ensured that His command would be well received, for He inclined the heart of Zacchaeus to welcome Him.

We sometimes feel that God’s love is too bold, persisting, and stubborn. We know that He love us, but we’re certain that that He’s irritated with our sins and annoyed with the constant ups and downs of our spiritual walk. If the Lord of the universe is offering us a bold love, so personal that He calls us by name, why shouldn’t we be with Him? God always uses such intimate language when He relates to us. He paints warm images of sheltering us under His wings, holding us in the palm of His hand, or drawing us close to His breast.

Maybe we fear total surrender to Him because of what may happen if we let go and love. But “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives our fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18).

The words of 1 John 4:19 are so intimate: “We love because he first loved us.” If you desire to be free of fear, memorize and meditate on portions of Scripture that describe God’s love and your need. Read parts of John’s gospel to hear the heartbeat of Christ just hours before the cross. Read Psalm 51 to grasp the bitterness of sin…then enjoy the Song of Songs to find warm and intimate language of love.

The love of God is bold, daring and courageous. When you consider that it’s the Lord of the universe who steps up to the door of your heart and knocks for entrance, only a fool would refuse Him entry. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus invites Himself into your life, bringing His own joy and welcome. And just as He did with Zacchaeus, He tells you not to hesitate.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelations 3:20).

This is the story of a man named Zach.

One day, Jesus went through the city of Jericho.  Many people were following him.  There, lived a man named Zach.  He was a tax collector.  Zach was a very rich man.  But he was greedy and dishonest.  He gained money by cheating people.  When he knew that Jesus was going to pass through their city, He wanted to see what he was like so he rushed to the streets downtown and waited there for Jesus.  When Jesus was passing, he tried his best to move close to him.  However, there were many people around Jesus and he found it difficult to see him.  Zach was a short man and could not see over the crowd.

In his disappointment, he walked away.  Then as he turned his back from the crowd, he noticed a sycamore tree in front of him.  So he ran quickly ahead of the crowd.  In a hurry, he climbed up the sycamore tree and waited there eagerly to see Jesus.

When Jesus got there, he looked up and said to him, “Zach, hurry down!  I want to stay with you today.”

When he heard what Jesus said, he quickly came down and gladly welcomed him to his home.  Everyone who saw this was unhappy and said. “Look!  Jesus is going to the home of that bad guy.”

Jesus did not care about what the people said because he wanted to show Zach his love.  Zach totally changed that same day.  He stood up and said to Jesus, “Lord, I will give half of what I have to the poor.  And I will pay back four times as much to everyone I ever cheated.”

Jesus said, “Today you and your family have been saved.  I come to this world in order to look for and savepeople who are like you.”

What a nice story, isn’t it?  How about you?  Have you ever cheated people?  Have you been dishonest?  Have you done wrong things?  Jesus loved Zach and wanted to help him.  Jesus also loves you and wants to help you. WE all have sinned and need the salvation that he offers.  Do you want to believe in Him and accept Him as your savior?