Get up in the tree!

LITTLE MAN WHO MADE IT BIG

Luke 19:1-10     Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but because of of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way. 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 down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."

   Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He wanted to see him really bad. Although he was a government official, he didn't care if it was embarrassing. He climbed into a tree to see Jesus. His efforts were rewarded. Not only did he get to see him, but Jesus stopped, and told Zacchaeus that he would come to his house to spend time with him. Zacchaeus was thrilled. He went home to prepare.
But others were upset. Tax collectors were not respected people. And the Jews thought it was shameful for Jesus to spend time with a sinner. But Zacchaeus repented. He not only

vowed to give away half his wealth, but to repay anyone he had

cheated. Jesus said this was why he had come, to seek out and

 save the sinner.

   Sometimes it is difficult for people to separate the sin from the sinner. It is important for us to disapprove of sin while trying to save those trapped in sin.  How do we approach people today whose lifestyles we cannot condone?  Do you speak out when you are offended by what people say or do?  Do you let places like Face Book use your page for their own agendas and care not what they write even though young eyes may see and be influenced?  I speak out.  I do not want my Christian friends or my grandchildren to see offensive things on anything that I as a Christian am lending an ear or eye to.  Yes, it is hard to fit into today's world but you can even if you do show your love of the Father and Son and Christianity.  God will show you the way and what he wants you to do.  Just listen with your heart....  You are your own conscience.   

Zacchaeus sought Jesus, and got closer to him than he had hoped. God says if we seek him, we will find him. He that hungers and thirsts after righteousness shall be filled. Many people wonder where God is in their lives, but never go looking for him. What are some ways we can seek after God in our lives?

Zacchaeus didn't use his shortness as an excuse to quit looking for Jesus. What obstacles do we have to overcome to see Jesus? Are any of these obstacles great enough to separate us from Jesus?

    SCRAMBLE UP THAT TREE, DON'T YOU WANT TO SEE JESUS??

I climbed trees all the time growing up much to the dismay of my poor Mother!  But I never fell, God was there to protect me.   I am short of stature-ha!  But in H.S. it did not stop me from playing basketball, baseball and standing tall for Jesus!  I still stand tall for Jesus, more so, the older and shorter I grow-ha!

Thank you for coming today and I hope your heart and spirituality were nourished.  Come again soon.  Let the light of Jesus shine in your heart, be on your lips and in your eyes.  Blessings!

♥KERRIE♥
My Christian heart to yours.....