Life Change

Warriors Arise: February 9, 2022

Luke 19:1-8 (NKJV Strong's,) Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

Zacchaeus did see who Jesus was. Remember that is where this all started. He wanted to get through the crowd to see who Jesus was. He decided the best action was not to wiggle his way through he crowd but run ahead to watch Jesus. He wanted to see who Jesus was. What was he watching for? Maybe he had heard how people could reach out and touch Jesus' cloak and they would be healed, like the woman with the issue of blood. Maybe he had heard how a blind man cried out for Jesus to have mercy on him, was called to come to Him and then received his sight. Maybe he wanted to know if Jesus really was all that he had heard.

God is wondrous in all of His ways. He knew Zacchaeus was ripe for the picking. He was about to give Zacchaeus more than he ever thought possible or could image. Zacchaeus was to observe Jesus and evaluate for himself what kind of a man He was. God brought Jesus to Zacchaeus and they spent time together. They spent enough time that Zacchaeus came to a conclusion. Sometimes I wonder if we leave too early?

• If Jesus had not gone to Zacchaeus' house and just passed by, would he have had the response, life change as he did in verse 8?

• If Jesus had looked up, not said a word and then continued on would Zacchaeus have had the life changing experience?

• If Jesus had looked up, looked into Zacchaeus' eyes and he looked into His eyes, could that have been enough for a life changing experience?

• If Jesus had not invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house would he have seen the man Jesus was? Enough for a life change?

What about you? Has God looked at you? Did he speak for you to come down? Did he tell you he was coming to your house, spending the rest of the day with you? How did you respond? Did you look into His eyes? Did you come down? Did you invite Him to come into your home, your life? If so, how have you changed? Change isn't change until something changes. I used to have that hanging on my wall in college. It has stuck with me. When God comes, there is a reason. He has already heard my cry, my prayers, my worship toward Him. So, what is it that I need to hear from Him? What is it I need to see of Him? Zacchaeus' goal was to see who Jesus was. When God comes maybe He wants us to see who He is. Maybe we have lost our footing or our eyes have grown dim, and are hearing not so in tune with His voice. Maybe he wants to know who He is. When we seek to know Him, He will come and spend time with us. Then we will make a decision as to whether we will remain the same or to be changed through knowing Him from the time we have spent with Him.

Father, I really do not want to know he number of times I positioned myself to seek You out, You came, looked at me, and invited Yourself to join me; but I didn't listen. I pray I would position myself to listen, to learn, to comprehend Your ways and Your love. I ask for You to reveal Yourself to me. In Ephisians 5:1 we are told to imitate You as children. I want to see more of You and know You, so that I can imitate You. I pray I would value my time with You, in Your presence, listening to You, so there is a life change within me in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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