Hide ‘n Seek with Jesus
Luke 19:5–7 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
Luke 19:5-7 NIV
When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”
Luke 19:5-7 MSG
Jesus had an appointment with Zacchaeus. He was right on time. He found Zach right where he knew he would. He looked up to the Wee Little Man who looked down on him, and apparently everyone else.
Where Did Jesus Find You?
Jesus found Zacchaeus up a tree. Where did he find you? Or are you still hiding? (PS: He is better at Hide ’n Seek than you.)
There is something about Jesus that makes us want to come clean. Seeing him for who he really is shows us who we really are. Things get really real pretty quickly. Zach’s change went all the way to his heart and then turned outward. He chose to undo all the rotten stuff he had done. If you ever wondered what John the Baptizer meant when he said, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8), here it is.
Zach did not begrudgingly say to everyone, “I’m sorry.” Jesus didn’t have to say, “A little louder, please.” No, Zach stood up to his full height and declared,
“Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
What Would You Say to Jesus?
If Jesus found you up a tree today and invited himself to dinner, what declaration might you feel compelled to offer? What do you need to say to Jesus? What do you need to do to prove your heart is connected to your mouth? Why not do that now? You have never been anywhere Jesus was not. He is right there with you.
Like Michael Scott on The Office, you might need to declare bankruptcy. You know how spiritually empty you are. This kind of confession is good for the soul. The only way to fill your life with Jesus and all of his goodness is to admit your spiritual poverty. Jesus said doing so is a blessing.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 NIV
There’s a whole lot more where that came from.
Admit it: You’ve missed the mark, missed the boat, and missed the life you were meant to live. It’s time to climb a tree. It’s time to look for Jesus. It’s time to realize he has been looking for you all along. He has been waiting for you to look to him. He is ready to meet you right where you are and declare, “Today salvation has come to this house” (verse 9).
Win With Jesus
Don’t come up short. Jesus is looking for a few wee men (and women and boys and girls). Jesus is looking for you, and he is the best Hide ’n Seek player of all time, the undisputed champion.
He found you right where you are right now. When he wins, you win. Make this your day to win with Jesus.
Application
I will win with Jesus.
Prayer
Our Father, thank you for loving losers like me. Thank you for turning wee little sinners into great big saints. Thank you for finding me right where I was. Thank you for leading me here. Where do we go from here? You lead. I’ll follow. Let’s find more wee little men and women and boys and girls. Amen.
