Yes, You!

“When Jesus came by, He looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name, ‘Zacchaeus!’ He said, ‘Quick, come down for I must be a guest in your home today.’  Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy” Luke.19:5-6 [emphasis added]

God is after you. God wants to have a relationship with you. God wants to connect with you. Zacchaeus goes out of his way to find Jesus only to discover that, the whole time, Jesus had been looking for him. Jesus looked at the tree and said, Zacchaeus come down. Zacchaeus must have fallen out of that tree. The Bible says he came down from the tree quickly. That is all the information we have. We are not told how he came down. But just imagine you were the one on that tree looking for Jesus and unknown to you He even knows your name.

And as He is approaching, you are leaning and stretching just to catch a glimpse of Him. You have made up your mind that even that, just that, is enough for you. Then suddenly, He calls your name. I do not know about you but I would probably crash through every branch I climbed on to get up that tree. This is just my imagination because after reading this story I knew it was impossible for Zacchaeus to climb down that tree.

But the truth you must know today is that Jesus knows your name. I know that it is tough for some of us to wrap our minds around this but it is the truth. Jesus knows you intimately by name. And before you ever thought to go on a search for God, God was already searching for you. Before you ever thought to give your life to Jesus, He had already given His life for you. You did not just come to Christ, He drew you to Himself. No one can decide on his or her own to find God. God found you. You, not God, were the one that was lost. And this is the miracle of grace.

Imagine what Zacchaeus risked to see Jesus. Zacchaeus put everything on the line. He put his reputation at stake. Let me explain; Zacchaeus was a rich man and in their time men wore robes. So imagine this rich man wearing a robe, climbing a tree. How would that look? It would be deemed foolishness on display. Zacchaeus risked all that plus losing all his friends. He even risked his health. He could have been  injured or even died trying to climb that tree. Zacchaeus risked everything to see Jesus. Guess what? Jesus cannot ignore people that risk everything for Him. Jesus is drawn to people that have risked everything for Him.

Prayer [song]: I love You Lord and I lift my voice to worship You. O my soul, rejoice! Take joy my King in what You hear. Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear. Amen!