How would we respond if we were a
short person who wanted a closer look at a famous teacher? Think back to our Sunday School days.
“Zacchaeus was a
wee little man;
a wee little man
was he.
He climbed up in
the sycamore tree . . .”
Zacchaeus was not just a common
city tax collector but a regional chief tax collector. His occupation made him
very rich but despised by his Jewish people. The gospel writer Luke infers that
Zacchaeus had never seen Jesus before nor heard him teach, but whatever words
of wisdom Jesus spoke to him at dinner convicted Zacchaeus for using dishonest
methods of over-taxing his own people.
The Old Testament teaches when a
thief is caught he must pay back double, but Zacchaeus promised to return four
times the amount of illegal taxes plus give half his wealth to the poor. Just
one visit with Jesus changed Zacchaeus’ life.
Zacchaeus determined to see Jesus
that day. Jesus already had the dinner appointment on His own calendar, just as
he has a plan for our lives.
King David believed God planned every day of his life (Psalm 139). The
Apostle Paul also declared his life was worth nothing unless he accomplished
all the Lord had assigned him (Acts 20:24).
Lord, we want to live in the
center of Your will every day. We invite You to search our hearts and reveal
anything that offends You. We ask forgiveness when we disobey Your will. Bless us
with Your presence today and always.