LUKE 19:4

They tried to hinder Zacchaeus but nothing they could do would stop him. Zacchaeus was determined. It was his mission, if not his dream to see this Rabbi, this Messiah, everyone was talking about. Therefore, he ran up ahead and climbed into the sycamore tree to fulfill and achieve his desire (4). It seems to me that Zacchaeus knew what he was, knew he was not liked, and knew what people thought about him but deep down in his soul there seems to be a thirst, a longing for something more fulfilling and better. There was a longing in his soul to see Jesus. Little did he know that Jesus also wanted to see and meet with him. I always find it fascinating that this Jesus of eternal glory wants to meet with us and have fellowship with us.

It is an observation not without merit that Zacchaeus did what he had to do to see Jesus. He never allowed his height to remain an obstacle or to serve as an excuse for convenience or inconvenience. He effectively worked his way around the crowd and every other obstacle. His shortness of stature was more than an obvious disadvantage but not for Zacchaeus. He figured out a solution. It must be acknowledged that it is indeed difficult, if not impossible to stop a determined man or woman. Often, all it takes is a determined mind, a mind made up to achieve its goals. Where there is a will, there is a way. Zacchaeus was noticeably short, and extraordinarily rich, but not happy. He strongly sensed a need to see Jesus for himself!

I trust that in 2025, many of us will be just as aggressive and forceful in our desires and actions to see Jesus, so much so that nothing or no one will be allowed to succeed in stopping us. Seeing Him many times will take some deliberate effort and planning on our part. We may have to bypass and move around and away from some people and things. We may have to do some climbing. We may need to move ahead of some people. We would have to become deliberate and resourceful. Zacchaeus climbed up. He elevated himself to get a better view. It may have been risky, but it was indeed worth it. His efforts paid off. It earned him invaluable dividends. It must have felt like music to his ears to hear the Savior call his name and beckon him to make haste and come down (19:5).

Just as he was seeking to see Jesus, he must have been undoubtedly startled to discover that the matchless Son of God was also intentionally seeking to have an encounter with him. It is reciprocal. It must not be overlooked that the Savior wants to see and fellowship with us as much as we desire to see and have fellowship with Him and even more! May we make every effort possible this year to see and be with Him. Nothing can be more transformative and revolutionary for us. There is no way we can succeed without seeing him clearly and regularly in 2025. Seeing Him for ourselves makes all the difference in the world!