What reason does Luke give us to tell us why Zacchaeus couldn’t see Jesus? (He was small in stature, or he was SHORT.) What did Zacchaeus do in order to see Jesus? (He climbed a sycamore tree.) Are any of you short? What makes you feel short? What type of things do you have to do sometimes in order to see someone or get something because you are short?
As Jesus was passing through Jericho he saw this short man, Zacchaeus, sitting up in a tree wanting to see who Jesus was. Jesus’ next move was to tell Zacchaeus to “come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house”. Zacchaeus probably didn’t know how to react. He just wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus has just told him he must stay at his house. Jesus knows Zacchaeus is a tax collector, a person who many people didn’t like back in history because they took people’s money, but Jesus isn’t afraid to befriend Zacchaeus here. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus’ invitation by telling Jesus he will give away half of his possessions and repay all those he has stolen from, times four. In a few words, Zacchaeus gave away half of his possessions. After he says this, Jesus gives Zacchaeus his salvation, heaven, for his actions. Zacchaeus probably had many cool things in his possession because he was rich, but he knew these “things” didn’t really mean anything to Jesus. Jesus wasn’t impressed that he was rich or that he owned many cool things. Jesus was impressed that he wanted to climb a tree to see who he was. How many of us could give up half of the stuff that we have? We’re getting ready to enter in the busiest, craziest, and holiest times of the year. Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday. A day to give thanks to God for all we possess. Will you use it as a day to give thanks? The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday, one of the busiest and most insane shopping days of the year. On this day people buy stuff, fight over stuff, and on some occasions get hurt so they can buy stuff. The key word is stuff. This is the same stuff Zacchaeus can give away so he can have a better relationship with Jesus. As we wait for the Advent and Christmas season can we think of some things or stuff that gets in the way of us and Jesus? Can we use it less? Can we give it away to someone who doesn’t have anything? Can we share it with others who can’t afford it? If we can do any of these things, trust me, Jesus will see you doing it (no matter if you’re short or tall) and although he may not grant you heaven, he will definitely be extremely proud of you and pleased you want to have a relationship with him, not stuff. Jesus is our Savior and as Zacchaeus saw, our true joy lies in Him.