On a Limb

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Luke 19 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:40-42, NASB)


REFLECTIONS:
I seldom read this chapter of Luke without singing, ¯“Zaccheus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he. He climbed up in the sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.” ¯

It’s been some time since I fully climbed a tree, but in my younger years I found myself up in trees often to plan the next strategic spot to tie the rope so that we could swing through the creek and not hit the tree on the opposite bank, or simply to climb as high as I could and see as far as I could see. From experience I learned the branches sway a lot at the top and aren’t quite as sturdy as those closer to the ground.

I imagine that Zaccheus didn’t think much about whether the branches were sturdy when he climbed that sycamore tree in Jericho. He wanted to see what was coming right in front of him. He didn’t want to miss it. It really didn’t matter that others might make fun of him or be disgusted by him if he did such a childish thing. Zaccheus, a Jew, had probably already lost whatever public dignity he previously had in his community because he was a tax collector for the Romans. Not only did he collect taxes from other Jews for the Romans, he was noted as being ruthless and collecting extra for himself. 

I like that Zaccheus hurried down from the tree when Jesus called to him (verse 6).  I can’t imagine hurrying in the clothing of the day, especially from the higher branches of a tree. Then we learn that Zaccheus received Jesus gladly, the wee little man was rejoicing!  The Lord was coming to his home for supper and a night’s rest.

We don’t know exactly what happened or what was said in the safety of Zaccheus’ house, but it must have been quite wonderful.  Zaccheus was transformed in the presence of the Lord. He said yes to going out on a limb, he said yes to Jesus, and he desired to make things right (4x over) with those he had wronged or defrauded (verse 8). Jesus gives confirmation to Zaccheus’ salvation and his place as a son of Abraham. 

Scripture leads us to believe that Zaccheus stayed in Jericho and Jesus continues on and teaches the parable of money as He is nearing Jerusalem. Throughout the book of Luke Jesus teaches and there are more believers. He heals and there are more believers. He walks among the people and there are more believers. The believers are turning into disciples and sharing the Word. They are brimming over with the desire to share Jesus.  

Please jump ahead with me toward the end of chapter 19, Jesus is riding the donkey/colt toward Jerusalem-- the beginning of His last days on Earth. A crowd is gathering. Followers and disciples of Jesus are “praising God joyfully with a loud voice” (verse 37) and if you read JordanBland’s devo on August 14th, I imagine they were dancing too! The Pharisees in the crowd of people are telling Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus answers: 

“I tell you, if they become silent, the stones will cry out!” and as Jesus came down the Mount of Olives and saw Jerusalem, He wept over it saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” (verses 40-41)

Jesus is telling the Pharisees these followers and disciples of mine cannot be silent, they are brimming over with desire to share the Good News. So like other disciples, it seems Zaccheus didn’t want to be complacent in life anymore. He literally went out on a limb just to get a glimpse of something greater. He made a move to not miss what was right in front of him; Christ wasn’t hidden from him anymore. I imagine that Zaccheus had a story to tell and the Good News to share. No way would he be kept silent. 

POINT OF ACTION:

Can I be more like Zaccheus and go out on a limb just to get a glimpse of the Lord and what He has for me and not worry about the perception of others? I don’t want to be fearful of that limb swaying too much or breaking, because the Lord is my safety net… or better yet understanding that I really don’t need a safety net when I fully rely on Christ. What better ways can I turn to Jesus and not be kept silent?

PRAYER:

Lord I don’t want to miss what is right in front of me. You have greater things that are yet to come. When my mouth is silent because of my fear of man, then Jesus I ask you to loosen the bindings and put your words in my mouth to praise you joyfully with a loud voice. When my heart is cordoned off and encased in heavy barbed wire, please use Your divine wire nippers and open it up everyday for You.

WHO AM I?

If David hasn’t bored you yet with stories of Israel, I’m gonna jump in. We stood at the edge of a small town called Rose of Jericho and looked out over Jericho on the valley floor below. There is still tension on the West Bank and Israeli’s cannot go into the Palestinian controlled Jericho, so no picture of the “Zaccheus tree.” Last year this would not have been a safe vantage point as snipers in Jericho were firing from the tall casino into the homes and businesses of Rose of Jericho. Both of these cities and many others in the region have entrance check points and are cordoned off, encased in heavy barbed wire fencing.  Standing on this overlook I kept hearing the words from the song Let Us Rise by Sarah Reeves, “Break down these walls, let love prevail, pour out Your truth. Teach us Your ways oh God, All Your sons and daughters reaching out…” Be blessed, Gayle Norris