Out on a Limb

Meditation Thought: “And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 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.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:2-6)

Zacchaeus did just what was needed to give himself a new perspective and thus a new life. He was curious about who Jesus was; he moved himself from the ordinary place into an unexpected position, and is doing so was more visible to Jesus. He made his preparations – making sure he was on the proper road, and in the position where he could see Jesus. And when Jesus spoke to him, Zacchaeus responded promptly and joyfully and obediently.

In addition, when Zacchaeus understood who Jesus was, he responded to this knowledge by doing what he could to rectify what actions had been taken wrongfully before he met Jesus, and also decided to live differently in the future. Zacchaeus wanted to be found: he placed himself in a position where the possibility was greater to be found, though he was unaware of it at the time, and then, when Jesus called to him, seeking him, he answered as Jesus desired him to answer. Thus both Zacchaeus and Jesus were pleased with the results: both had fulfilled their desires and their missions.

Each one is sought by Jesus – and each of us who seek to see who Jesus is, and make effort to find a place where we can see who He is (going to the Word, to the places the Word is preached, to the prayer-time and concentration of thought on what Jesus is saying through the Holy Spirit) and then respond to what He does say to us promptly, joyfully and obediently – we find and He finds.

We learn who He is and He saves us because we do learn and we do obey Him, believing in His authority and in His ability. We find the Life we seek, and He finds His mission fulfilled.

But we won’t find the Life if we don’t go out on a limb!