Digging Deeper: To Catch a Glimpse of God in the Flesh
1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF GOD IN THE FLESH
I am vertically challenged, or short, as some would say. I stand just a bit over 5 foot 3 inches, and in a crowd, I typically can’t see anyone or anything not right in front of me. Scripture tells us that Zacchaeus dealt with height issues as well, and in verse 4 that he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. Jesus was headed his way and he wanted to see who Jesus was. While I have not climbed any trees lately, I have stood on my chair or moved to higher ground to catch a glimpse of someone before. The curiosity to see what they look like, what is going on or what is being said can drive us to do whatever it takes.
What would make Zacchaeus so curious to see who Jesus was? He is a rich man – no doubt powerful, and yet he climbs a tree! Perhaps, he heard the stories of Jesus teaching and healing as He was making His way to Jerusalem. Luke 18:25-43 tells us that Jesus heals a blind man sitting by the road just as He enters Jericho, right where we find Zacchaeus in Luke 19. The blind man literally cannot see Jesus but is told Jesus is passing by. So, he begins to yell, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowds in front of him tell him to be quiet, but the blind man is persistent and keeps yelling. As Jesus gets close to him, He asks him what He can do for him. The man says, “Lord, I want to see.” Jesus replies, “Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.” Instantly the man could see and began to follow Jesus, glorifying God.
This is another moment where we see Jesus seeking out the lost, coming for those who need Him. In her book Rediscovering Israel, Kristi McLelland says, “From beginning to end, the biblical narrative communicates that God is coming for us!” In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God hovers over the waters and later we find God dwelling in the Tabernacle among His people in the desert. In the New Testament, God comes in flesh as Jesus and lives among us. Then in Acts, He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us. Finally, at His return, Christ will gather His bride and live with us forever. No moment exists in all creation where God does not pursue His people. It is who He is.
Today, as we pray and consider “whatever it takes,” ask God to give you the boldness to seek out those who are lost. Today may be the first time someone sees Jesus through you.
Bridget Turner serves as the Director of Women’s Groups at NorthStar Church. She and her husband, Steve, live in Powder Springs and have two young adult children, Hannah and Joshua. She enjoys watching football, traveling and reading.