Seekers Seek to See by Lane Jordan Burday
“And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
One of my favorite children’s Bible stories is the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. There is even a song about him! He is a wee little man, and he climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus.
But this simple story has a deep, spiritual message for us. Zacchaeus could have stayed cool and comfortable in his house and let his servants tell him all about Jesus. He was very wealthy, had position and power, and everything one would need. However, there must have been something deep inside Zacchaeus to cause him to climb up a tree to see the face of this man everyone had been saying was doing miracles and changing lives.
The Bible says, “He wanted to see who Jesus was, but…. because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus” (Luke 19:1-4).
Zacchaeus pushed away the stigma of a grown rich man running and climbing a tree because something inside his soul urged him on.
Is there a but…in your life? Are you too busy with young children or older parents or a workload that is impossible to finish before you can see Jesus?
The best part of the story is Jesus knows where we are, and He knows our name. When Jesus reached the tree where Zacchaeus was, He knew he was there and called out his name. And Zacchaeus’s life and those around him were changed forever.
This story reminds us to seek after Jesus every day. And when we seek Him, promise yourself you will stay with Him through good and bad. Promise yourself that you won’t take Jesus for granted or live your life halfway. And last, seek to stand up for what is right:
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus knew he spoke the truth because He said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:8-9).
How can you stand with Jesus each day?
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Lane Jordan Burday serves as a POP Talk Radio Co-Host, is coordinating a Pearls of Promise 52-Week Devotional, and is our POP Prayer Co-Leader. Lane Jordan Burday is also an award-winning best-selling author of the 12 Steps to Becoming a More Organized Woman series of books. She is an international speaker, life coach, seminar leader, Bible teacher for 25 years, and an artist. She has served as the Associate Producer for the television program In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley.
Lane’s latest book, Evangeline, is a historical fiction based on the book of Esther. You can reach Lane at: lane@lanejordanministries.com.