Zacchaeus - in the right place.

Okay, so before we begin talking about what this story may really mean, in terms of reading between the lines, let’s first read the amazing event, recorded by one of my favourite writers, Luke.

' He [(meaning Jesus)] entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And 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.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

~Luke19’1-10

This version was taken from the lovely ESV, one I don’t normally use but it just gets to the point sometimes, and I love that. So… Zacchaeus …

It’s a story us born-in-church-kids have probably hear, but I must admit it’s an event I have seemed to have forgotten about. We all know that absolutely everything recorded in the Bible is of VITAL SIGNIFICANCE, John21’25 clearly reminds us of how much more Jesus did in His times as a physical God-human here on earth. But it couldn’t all be written down! That just tells us that the things that WERE written down were the one we NEEDED to hear.

So you’ve read the story, you know what happened, I just want to dig a little deeper into it though. The Bible described Zacchaeus as a rich chief tax collector. That interesting because his job profile says a lot about his personality. In those days tax-men though very rich, had quite a low reputation among the Jewish people. They were thieves, they took money for the despised Roman Government, whilst taking a little extra for themselves, they were no-doubt socially excluded and in that way quite isolated from the tight Hebrew Community. Similar to today’s version of car-ticket attendants:] And so, Luke, by introducing him by his job says so much in so little time. By the world’s standards, he did not deserve to see Jesus; and he certainly did not deserve to have Jesus in his house. But as we see later, all of that happened and more…

Now the Bible doesn’t often mention height issues, but it seems, Zacchaeus was vertically-challenged. He was short and couldn’t see Jesus. Now I wouldn’t say I can identify height-wise, but I see a lot of myself in that one statement.  Sometimes … no … a lot of the times I fall short of the standards God has set for me, mistakes make me feel inadequate to even see Him as my Father and Friend because I am so sinful. I understand here when Zacchaeus so wanted to see Jesus but he couldn’t because he was not enough.

- And we aren’t enough ROMANS3’23 Says ‘for everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.’ BUT, do not be discouraged because God gave Zacchaeus a way, and He can give us a way too if we just ask.

You know, God is so amazing. I did some research on the life of a Sycamore Tree and found out that they can live to about 200 years of age. Most produce seed and are at their prime at about 150 years old . This means that God, in eternity had decided hundreds of years pre-event to plant a sycamore tree in the street Jesus would be walking in that day for Zacchaeus to climb and give us all this story of hope.

-Do you see that?

God will always make a way for you to find Him, because He wants that for you more than anything. A relationship with the Father IS the abundant life for which HE CAME!! [JOHN10’10]

But Zacchaeus had to be in a yearning frame of mind to be so desperate for God that He had to climb a tree to see Jesus. I’m reminded of …

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled’ MATT5’6

Zacchaeus was hungry and thirsty for the view of Jesus, his heart was in the right place – and therefore his actions were in the right way too. [‘Every tree is known by its own fruit' LUKE6’44] He climbed up the tree.

(HE WAS) ‘IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME’ –ECC9’11

--- And you know, this phrase has been taken and used by the world in the context of business success and even luck.

But this phrase comes from Ecclesiastes 9’11. The wise Solomon even in his older years new the importance of position in the time and place.

In this context we can take this and see...

Are our heart in the right place to see God? [MATT5’8]

Are we in the right mind-set to receive Him – are we in the midst of the crowds and the distraction or have we stepped out of that, climbed the tree and put ourselves in the right place?

Sometimes it takes isolation, sometimes it’s a struggle to get to the place you KNOW you need to be in order to see God. But it is something that needs to be done.

What is this struggle you make ask?

Jesus said ‘For My yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light.’ – MATTHEW 11’30

Part of this burden will always be to ‘take up your cross, and follow Me’ MATT16’24

There’s a reason why the amazing hand of God and His plans for us have been called the great exchange [2CORINTHIANS5'21]. We give Him our sin, our ashes, our despair and He gives us righteousness, beauty, praise.

Seems like an unfair exchange doesn’t it?

But it’s kind of like when for example, you’ve been irritable with your mum for some time , and for no other reason (out of the fact that you are her child), she does something really lovely for you, your favourite meal perhaps, a small gift . How much more does God love us and give us the things we need but don’t deserve, His love, His grace and mercy [MATT7’11]

Don’t make it difficult for yourself, accept the gift and decide that within yourself you will do what He wants for your life.

- - - Climb the tree, by surrendering your will and getting to a right place with God to see Him.

No matter what anyone my say [LUKE19’7] Jesus will come into your heart (Zacchaeus’ home) and your gratitude for His amazing compassion for you will intrinsically make you into the generous [LUKE19’8] kind and Godly person that God wants you to be.

I choose Jesus ...

Today was amazing
I had about an hour discussion with a girl about her eternal salvation.
It was epic.
When we were talking I remember feeling the presence of God right there, as we were talking, she started tearing up, and I don't even remember thinking about anything. 
I was just speaking and speaking.
I came back into my room dropped everything on the floor and just melted.
I couldn't believe it . 
I'm the sort of girl that watches 'The Way of The Master' in complete awe at how many lives are touched through that show. - including mine, all the time .

From talking to the girl today , I was reminded of an article I wrote on the student room a couple of months ago on one of the 'Does God Exist' threads.

I wrote a relatively long post on why I believe people should look to Jesus (from a sceptic's view) ...
As you can imagine, I got alot of hate-responses from my post, it was king of exciting -MATT 5"10 
'Blessed are those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom Of Heaven is theirs' (yipee !)
And there was one muslim lad who I talked to the entire night, he had vast amounts of sceptical questions and what not. I'll put one of them below.

Anyway it was exciting to share my faith online like that, and it was from the following post that I realised my passion for God-writing.
Hope you are able to enjoy the post, 

IMTAPA
Lakechia

Listen here guys .

I am 17 . I go to a school that is largely atheist. I studied philosophy and religion - where both teachers were atheist . The simple fact that the debate of God is still running high after more than 4000 years is because it is something that is a mystery to man in his own mind.

You know what ? Fine . Don't believe in God . Spend your whole life in the mindset of 'there is no God'

BUT

What if there is ? What if . Two words that may haunt you for the rest of eternity . Don't stop reading , this will make more sense ...

If you do believe in God , what the worst that could happen, you live your life of meaning in a constant state of hope, even for death . And if you die ,and there is nothing afterwards - then boo hoo . But if God does exist : you get to spend eternity with Him !

But if you don't believe God , you live a life only waiting to die - don't get me wrong , you can enjoy it  for the odd 70 years ( more or less)you might have. And if you die, and there's just nothing . Then 'fine'.
BUT what if . What if there was something after death - an eternity of painful regret .
"If only I had listened"
-- would you risk not wearing a seatbelt just because your only driving to the corner shop ?
--- then why risk the fact that you might - just might have to spend eternity in hell just because you didn't want to believe in a God that had been their all along .

If you read this thinking 'this person is insane... doesn't she know science - hasn't she seen all the theories ? ' - well actually I do, and I have. I know science well enough to know that it makes mistakes . Scientist used to think the earth was flat for crying out loud !! It was scientists that tried to disprove the BIBLE when it clearly says " He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth" (Isaiah40v22)
Scientist used to 'bleed people' to make them better when the BIBLE clearly says , that blood is one of the key components of the bodies ability to function (Leviticus 17v11)
Scientist thought the ocean floor was flat , when the BIBLE clearly states that it has valleys and mountains (2Samuel22v16)- ever heard of King David scuber diving ? - how could they have known these things.

Face it . scientists have made mistakes in the past , and they will in the future. In fact many scientists have stopped trying to disprove God because it's just too hard.Don't believe me ?
Ask a scientist . 

Let's see ... who was one  of the most intelligent scientists to walk the modern , intellectually superior scientific world . Einstein ? - that's who I was thinking of . Look what He said :

"Every one who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe-a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble."

Have you ever had 'the annoying friend' that looks at what you brought for lunch (ie : your favourite snack) -- and says
"that must taste disgusting I would never eat that"
And you snap back at them and say:
"Dude have you even tried it !?" -- because surely you can only say something is complete rubbish if you've tried it with sincere intentions and hated it . Right ?

So I want to ask you right now .
Have you tried God ?

Forget what 'Christians' have said that may have hurt you . Forget how hypocritical they might be. Not giving God a chance because of Christians' bad example is like not going to the gym because there are 'out of shape people' there. Why Christianity ? And why JESUS ? Because no other 'god' has such a personal and understanding relationship with people who simply ask (hint hint). No other 'god' has the most multicultural group of people following Him  without any 'majority race' . No other 'god' has become human and experienced the same things of pain as we have . No other 'god' has had a best selling book for the past 2000 years ( people must be reading it for some reason right ?). No other 'god' has made a promise to be with you always, every single second of everyday. And no other 'god' has loved his followers somuch that he would die for them.

I know what you feel like , is it really worth it ?
The answer is yes . The 12 disciples did not lie when they wrote accounts of Jesus . Who would ever lie for a cause that would cost them their lives ?

You know, believing in God is a 'leap of faith' . Its like riding a bicycle, or walking for the first time . You could fall . But what if you don't, what if you keep trying ? Who ever succeeded at something  without taking a risk ?

I am a Christian and sincerely proud to say it .
I am a teenager , and I have found hope in every situation . Courage in every challenge . And a best friend who has never let me down. My best friend is Jesus - I know it sounds kinda cheesy , but no matter what anyone thinks or says this truth will remain with me forever . Until the grave .
And no one knows when they will die . You could go any day . Anytime . You are human after all.
So don't wait . All you need to say ( and it won't hurt) is :

"God . Jesus . If You exist, please help me to know it . There are so many things that go against You even being real. But if you are there , help me to understand.

You don't have to listen to me .
You don't have to remember anything I just wrote .
But please keep in mind these two words ...

What if .

-------

[QUOTE=sjaan]The same thing can be said to you.

Why don't you buy a Quran and read it for yourself and see what Islam says?[/QUOTE]

I am so delighted that you took your time to read my 'long post' -- it was long wasn't it :) if I could say all that I said in 1 sentence , I would .
But let me give you an example :

If I had spent 4 hours constantly looking outside in the cold for an iPod that I had accidentally dropped. And then I suddenly find it (and am incredibly happy !!)
- why would I carry on staying outside in the cold when I have already found what I was looking for ?

In the same way . I have found Jesus . He is not my prophet . But my God and saviour and most of all, my personal friend. I would not trade Him for my life.

However I also believe in freewill - and so does God  - but freewill is only evident when options are considered and a choice is made. I have considered my options, and I have made my choice.

I choose JESUS.