Making God look at you
Picture this: Jesus was passing through Jericho, and a very large crowd followed him. A man called Zacchaeus, the chief of all tax-collectors in town, had already heard about Jesus, but never seen Him. He'd heard about Jesus' miracles and wonderful teachings. He decided that he just had to see Him. Zacchaeus had a longing in his heart to know Jesus personally. He wasn't satisfied with just hearing stories.So when Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing through his town, he rushed to go and see Him. But there was just one small problem: Zacchaeus was short! As the crowds surrounded Jesus, Zacchaeus could not see Him, even standing on tiptoes.
Then Zacchaeus had an idea. He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree, where Jess would pass by. All he had to do was to wait for the right moment.
When Jesus came along, He stopped, looked up, and unexpectedly said to Zacchaeus: "Come down immediately! I must stay at your house today."
When Jesus came to his house and Zacchaeus served Him a meal. Half way through supper Zacchaeus suddenly stood up and said, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody, I will pay him back four times the amount." Jesus responded, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham."
What is so interesting about this incident is that it reinforces the fact that God's miracles start with you. How many people were in that crowd on the road who desperately needed Jesus to go to their house? I believe there were many. But why did He choose Zacchaeus' house? The answer is clear:
Zacchaeus was the only one in that crowd who went out of his way to attract Jesus' attention. Everybody else was just following Him.
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus with his own eyes. You should also have this desire in your heart – the desire to actually see Jesus, not just hear stories about Him.
Zacchaeus had an obstacle in his way – his small stature. But he didn't give up. He climbed the tree. He wasn't worried about what people would say or think about him; he didn't care if he looked ridiculous. You too, have obstacles blocking you from the things you want in life. But do you know there is an express line to acheive what you want? It's the way of sacrifice.
But when we think of sacrifice, our immediate reaction is, "Not that. I don't want to do that." But it's when you decide to sacrifice your best, that nothing will stop you from your blessing, that you attract God's attention and force Him to look at you.
When Jesus looked at Zacchaeus, He said to him, "I must stay at your house today." In other words, Jesus just had to do something for that man who dared do something different.
Interesting too, is Jesus' response to Zacchaeus' announcement to give half of all he had to the poor, and pay back anyone he had cheated four times over. The Lord said, "Today there has been salvation in this house." Jesus didn't say to him, "Zacchaeus, keep your money. What matters is your heart; the blessings of God are free, you don't have to make such sacrifice..." No. He let him do such a radical thing because Zacchaeus needed to express what was inside his heart.
If you want God to look at you and say "I must bless this child of mine" – then give Him a reason to do it. If you want something new and different to happen to you, then you have to do something new and different to provoke it. When you sacrifice to God, you stand out from the crowd – you "climb a tree," as it were – and Jesus not only has to look at you, but He also has to bless you because of your faith.
Have you climbed a tree lately?
Quote:
"Jesus just had to do something for that man who dared do something different."
Pr. Renato Cardoso
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