“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.” (Luke 19:1-4 KJV).
In this story about Zacchæus, we watch on display the comforting picture of radical unmerited favor. This filthy rich chief tax collector named Zacchaeus wanted to see our Lord Jesus who’s passing through the city of Jericho. But he faced physical limitations for he’s short and small that he could not get through the wall of crowd blocking him. But, he could not be deterred. He finds his way to see the Lord Jesus. He is our example of one who truly seeks God, that no matter your state of being as this drama unfolds, if you have a desire to meet the Lord Jesus, you can. He will meet you where you are.
In this city, the people looked at Zacchaeus and others like him with disdain. As corrupt publicans, they deserved judgment. For many of the people around him, especially the religious people, he is a sinner not worthy to hang around with. He merely represents "dead works" and human decadence. But, here he is determined to see God. So, he climbed a Sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of the Lord. His act of faith will show us that God notices our sincere desire to know who the Lord Jesus is.
This man is an exemplification of one in a state of worldly decay, viewed deplorable in the eyes of the law, by the religious system and by the benchmark of humanity. But, unbeknownst to him, his conscience is responding to the call of grace. By pursuing to see the Lord Jesus, he is responding to the Lord’s command to seek God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33). He and those who are still lost in this presently darkened world is assured to find the Lord, as it is written: ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment