Sycamore Tree

Luke 19:1-6: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a Sycamore Tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

Zacchaeus is a perfect example of a lot of us, he was a chief among his peers and had an outlook of one who all is well with (Rich). But like all humans, we know ourselves more than the way others perceive us. Despite his Chief status, he knew his life was still very empty of something or rather someone really vital. Am sure a lot of people will be hailing him as a 'Don', as a man of timber and caliber and as a role model, but the truth is that in our inner place we know how wrong our fans, friends and colleagues are. 

1Co 2:11  Who ever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself? (MSG)

We are the only ones who truly know our inadequacies and struggles. Maybe you are reading this and you realize that the applause you receive from school, work, church is very encouraging about your life, but i will have you ponder and pause.......is that the true reflection of your life. Like Zacchaeus do you feel you aint there yet? Despite his success, he knew he needed Jesus. 

He sought to see Jesus who He was.....despite his reputation, he sought Him. Are you seeking him my brother and sister. Has your reputation or standing in school and at work crucified your search? Is it possible that you are trying but you cant get through? In verse 3 we saw that he could not see Jesus because of the press or the crowd. It is sad that there are lots of things crowding out Jesus in our lives, only because we do not make adequate room for Him in our lives. Our jobs, friends, phones, social media, babies, spouses and even church activities are crowding Him away from being seen. We give more priority to these things than seeking Him for ourselves. 

Some of us say we are still young or lack spiritual stature to seek Him like some do. To you i say "climb the SYCAMORE TREE". It helped Zacchaeus it will help you too. 

A sycamore tree is any thing that helps you see Jesus in the midst of distractions and busy schedules of our lives. It gives you leverage to see Him. For a lot of people their sycamore tree is Church Services. For a lot of believers without it they wont have any relationship with Jesus. Without it a lot of people wont experience Him. I do not mean seeing Jesus physically folks, but i mean church affords a lot of people the opportunity to speak to Him, hear Him, feel Him, fellowship with Him and so on. However some lose that fellowship in church when they become religious and encumbered by many activities like Martha. 

Luke 10:40-42: But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her. (AMP)

Nevertheless, the main point of this post is that I feel the Holy Spirit will like to point out the fact that a lot of people have now turned the Sycamore Tree to the only place where they meet with Jesus. Some folks only worship and pray seriously in church. If service doesn't hold in church for a whole week, their prayer life, study of God's word, praise and worship and seeking His face consciously is suspended for that week.

If you travel from home for a week, will you cease to communicate with your wife and loved ones for that period? How come we do so with God? The sycamore tree has become the only source of our tryst with God. I sense the Lord saying "make amends, create room for me and constantly meet me there, for there is much to discuss".

He awaits you!

God bless you. Shalom.