A Casual Approach Just Won’t Do
(5 minutes)
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho. There lived a very wealthy man named Zacchaeus, who supervised all the tax collectors. He was very eager to see Jesus and kept trying to get a look at him through the massive crowd. Since Zacchaeus was a short man and couldn't see over the heads of the people, he ran on ahead of everyone and climbed up a blossoming fig tree to get a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by. When Jesus got to that place, he looked up into the tree and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry on down, for I must stay at your house today! So he scurried down the tree and found himself face-to-face with Jesus. As Jesus left to go with Zacchaeus many in the crowd complained, "Look at this! Of all the people to have dinner with, he's going to eat in the house of a crook." Zacchaeus was amazed over his gracious visit to his home and joyously welcomed Jesus. Zacchaeus stood in front of the Lord and said, "Half of all that I own I will give to the poor. And Lord, if I have cheated anyone, I promise to pay them back four times as much as I stole."
Jesus said to him, "Your repentance shows that today life has come to you and your household, and that you are a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to see out and to give life to those who are lost." (Luke 19:1-10)
Unlike the rich, young ruler, Zacchaeus just wanted to see Jesus. That's it! All he wanted was a face-to-face encounter with the King. This was his only desire. And the massive crowd surrounding Jesus was not going to deter him from doing just that. Are you passionate about seeing and hearing Jesus for yourself today? Or will you settle for hearsay?
Sometimes we let the casual pace and distance of the crowd around us affect our own intimacy with the Lord. Sometimes we settle for what we're hearing others say about Jesus, instead of going after a closer look ourselves. You have access to the Bridegroom King, and you can have as much of Him as you desire. Zacchaeus would not settle for the casual pace of the crowd and he wouldn't settle for the description of Jesus that was being passed throughout the crowd. Zacchaeus decided in a moment that he was not going to let the crowd determine the standard of his own intimacy with Jesus. Pastor Tim brought us such a significant question on Sunday that we should be pulling into the secret place with Abba this week: "Who is setting the standard of intimacy in your life?"
Who's calling the shots when it comes to how close you're getting to Jesus? Who is setting the pace?
Zacchaeus breaks away from the crowd and doesn't allow them to deter his passionate pursuit. As he's desperately trying to see over everyone's shoulders he doesn't get discouraged by his small stature and go home. He doesn't even let his own shortcomings disqualify him. Pastor Tim said it this way on Sunday, "He's not going to let his stature or his standing in the community keep him from face-to-face."
So what does Zacchaeus do? He runs ahead. He does the most foolish thing the chief of tax collectors could do. He lets his heart of intimacy and honor lead him, and he runs ahead. Can you imagine what the crowd was thinking and saying as they saw this short, sinner of a man start running full speed ahead of all of them? But Zacchaeus felt no shame in looking like a fool. This is what a heart of intimacy and honor produces: an unwillingness to settle for the casual approach of others.
Am I passionate about seeing and hearing Jesus for myself today?
Who is setting the standard of intimacy in my life?
How long will I let my standing in the community, my stature, or the casual pace of the crowd determine the depth of intimacy I have with Jesus?
Am I ready to break away and run ahead to get my own eyes on the King?
Am I willing to do whatever it takes to see and hear Him for myself?
Your honor may look foolish to everyone else, but it will make you an appointment with the King. There's no shame in looking like a fool if it gets you face-to-face with Yeshua. What it costs you will be laughable when you’re experiencing unbroken, uninterrupted companionship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Beloved One, you were not made for the casual pace of the crowd. You were made as a perfect match for the pace and frequency of the Kingdom. Trust your heart of intimacy and honor today as you passionately pursue face-to-face, mouth-to-mouth fellowship with your Bridegroom King. He delights in every step you take towards Him!
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Worship: "King Of My Heart" by Bethel Music
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
