Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, wants to see Jesus. What does he do? He climbs a tree. Was that his first instinct? To climb a tree? Really? I am of short stature, but it has never occurred to me to climb a tree. I stand on my tip toes (though this really doesn't help much), but I have never thought to climb a tree. My first instinct is to try and get closer to what I want to see, get ahead of those taller than me.
But Zaccheus didn't do that, he ended up in a tree. Maybe the crowd wouldn't let him move in front of them. Maybe they didn't want him to see Jesus. He is a tax collector after all, not a very popular career choice back then (and really, who among us love the IRS)? Maybe they didn't think he deserved to see Jesus. We know they grumbled when Jesus not only wanted to see Zacchaeus, but go and stay at his house. They couldn't believe Jesus was going to the house of a sinner.
Who do you prevent from getting to Jesus? Do you neglect to tell your neighbor about our Savior, Jesus Christ, because they don't conform to your idea of who Jesus is looking for in His kingdom? Do you judge others and their actions to deem whether or not they are worthy? Or do you tell them about Jesus, invite them and let Jesus worry about judging them?
The kingdom is for everyone. Loving your neighbor means showing them the way. Offering them a spot ahead of you, so they can be closer to Jesus. Your neighbor is a sinner - that's a fact. You know what? So are you!
What keeps you from pushing ahead and trying to get to Jesus? What is keeping you from the kingdom? Pride? Sloth?
Hebrews 13:3 says to encourage one another, while it is still today.
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