This is a fact! There will always be something or someone that will try to keep you from Jesus!The Gospels are full of stories where certain things or people were "in the way" of someone trying to get to Jesus.Mark 2:1-5,Mark 5:24-34 and Luke 19:1-10 are some examples. Read these passages and recognize what came between that person and Jesus.Now lets look at one of these passages and a situation that a man named Zaccheus found himself in. Read Luke 19:1-10.
Zaccheus had a few things going against him when he "sought to see Jesus". First he was a hated tax collector. During the time that Jesus was on Earth everyone hated the tax collector because almost everyone was poor and had nothing really to give. Secondly, Zaccheus was rich! He made good money as a tax collector and maybe his lifestyle showed it.He must have lived the life! Still with these things against him,he still wanted to see a man called Jesus. Surely he'd heard all the stories about the miracles.Surely he'd heard about the ministry of peace Jesus preached. Surely he just wanted to see just what everyone was going crazy about. Surely Jesus was just a man; so what's the the big deal about Jesus?
Zaccheus may have had somethings that may have kept him from Jesus but the main thing at the time was his height. The Bible says that Zaccheus was a short person and at that moment "the press" of people kept him from seeing Jesus. The press got in his way, the people got in his way. It didn't matter if he was short because if it wasn't for the "press or crowd" he could have clearly seen Jesus. So Zaccheus changed his position!He didn't just stay in a place where he knew he'd never be able to see Jesus. He moved, he changed,he repositioned himself!!
Take a look at your life today, this very moment. No matter if you are a good church going person or one that just believe.There is always going to be something or someone that will try to keep you from Jesus!Like Zaccheus;it's up to us to recognize what or who it is.He knew he was short and that the "press or crowd" would come between he and Jesus. He knew if he wanted to see Jesus he had to change his situation and position.What is "the press" in your life? It could be your job? It could be your husband or wife? It could be a family member or friend? It could be an illness or addiction? It's always going to be something!
Zacchesus recognized the problem and acted on it.He changed his position and placed himself where he could see Jesus. The amazing thing is that when he did ,Jesus knew where to look for him. Jesus knew he was in that tree! Zacchesus wanted to just get a look at Jesus, but Jesus wanted to do more!Jesus didn't just want Zacchesus to just see him! Jesus wanted Zacchesus to know him!Jesus wanted to bless him!!
There are times in our lives when we find it hard to see Jesus. We look at others from the outside and we see Zacchesus. We judge them and instead of helping them,we become apart of the "press"!We find it hard to believe that Jesus can be anywhere near that person or situation.In this Easter season when Christ "repositioned himself" and placed himself on a cross, can we be willing to do the same? Can we overcome our hatred of others and see the true love of Jesus? Christ wants to meet you and wants to be apart of every area of your life. He has "need" of you but can't use you because you have given into the "press". Let us make appoint to do whatever it takes to see Jesus in every area of our lives. Zacchesus did and what a blessing he recieved in return!!
"Father we sometimes allow our feelings and our situations keep us from seeing you in our lives. We sometimes become apart of the "press or crowd" that are keeping others from seeing you.Help us Father to see your son through everyone and everything.In the mighty name of Jesus,Amen!!"
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