Zacchaeus was small of stature. Many people of all sizes, however, are small-hearted, petty, little people. They have trouble seeing Jesus, for they have trouble seeing beyond themselves.
Zacchaeus was unable to see Jesus because of the crowd (Lk 19:3). Greed, pride, hypocrisy, and lukewarmness (Rv 3:16) can crowd us out of seeing Jesus.
Zacchaeus overcame his smallness and the crowd by climbing a tree (Lk 19:4). Be like a tree upon which people can climb to rise above their smallness and the obstructions of the crowd.
The Lord says we become "like a tree" when we delight "in the law of the Lord" and meditate "on His law day and night" (Ps 1:2, 3). The person who loves and lives God's word is like a tree – the tree of life (see Gn 2:9), the tree that Jesus died on (Acts 13:29).
The poet Joyce Kilmer wrote: "Only God can make a tree." Only God can make us like trees which can give the Zacchaeuses of the world the opportunity to see the Savior. Make "like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season" (Ps 1:3).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I never be part of the lukewarm crowd (see Rv 3:16) obstructing others from seeing Jesus. |
| PROMISE: | "The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost." –Lk 19:10 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus healed Maria of chronic sinus problems. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College