You Talking to Me? – Part 29

I am grateful when “You talking to me?” moments provoke great joy.

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Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 21, 24, 26, & 28 – And God said . . .

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Take a few moments to read Luke 19:1-10 before reading further.  Jesus was passing through Jericho, and a man named Zacchaeus, a man quite small in stature, wanted to see Jesus.  Just a brief observation here.  There is something about Jesus that always lifts people higher.  Just a thought.

In order to get his best possible look at Jesus, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree so he could see over the heads of the crowd.  Jesus took note of this, realizing that Zacchaeus was powerfully intent on seeing Him.  I can tell you for a certainty.  If you seek Jesus, He will be found.  Anyone intent on seeing Jesus will not be disappointed.  Realizing the great effort of Zacchaeus to see Him, Jesus called him down from the tree and invited Himself to lunch at his house.  (A note here – do you remember the thief on the cross who recognized Jesus as Lord?  Jesus’s response to his recognition was immediate.  Jesus hasn’t changed.  When you will strive to see reach Him, He will reach out to you.)

Men like Zacchaeus, a chief publican, something like a tax collector, were not generally popular among the people.  He had no idea how Jesus would relate to him, but he still wanted to see Jesus.  So, here is Zacchaeus, hated by the community, longing to see Jesus who was so loved by so many of the community.  Can you imagine the powerfully impactful “You talking to me?” moment when Jesus told him to come down, and that He was going to have dinner at his house? 

I can remember the first time I was ever picked among the first three by the best baseball player in our school to play on his team.  I was thrilled beyond reason.  He called my name, “Moorefield.”  For a moment, I almost couldn’t believe I heard it.  But I had.  In my mind, thoughts were flying like machine gun bullets.  “Did he just call my name?  Is this really happening?  Then I took hold of my emotions, grabbed my glove, and took my place in line behind him.  In my youthful thinking, I felt like I was on my way to the major leagues.

Can you hear it?  Jesus is calling you today.  He wants to come to your house, dine with you, and share His life with you.  Yes, He’s talking to you.  Don’t wait any longer.  Come down from your perch, from wherever it is you think you need to be, and go with Him.  Perhaps there are some things that can prevent you from seeing Him, but when He calls your name, come to the front of the line.  It’s dinner time at your house with Jesus.  The meal will be delicious, the fellowship awesome, and the follow-up beyond your imagination.  It’s not about the tree you climb to see Him, but the tree you become when He calls your name.  Yes, He’s talking to you!

Manna for Today – Genesis 1; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 4:20-23; Mark 11:22-26; Romans 3:4