The Tree of Zacchaeus

For a little context, here is the pertinent part of the story from Chapter 19 in the book of Luke:

"Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 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."

I borrowed this image from the Instagram feed of a family member. Shortly after I had posted the image on my own feed, a friend made the following observation: "I like this, like building on what's there or providing something for others to build upon."

Exactly. From the point of view of Zacchaeus, he found himself in need, and a solution was provided for him. He could have easily resigned himself to a missed opportunity because of his size, or tried to figure out some other solution that may have involved forcing his way through a crowd or running off very far ahead to get a better position to intercept Jesus. Instead, here was a tree that was in just the right spot at just the right time to give him the help he needed. How fortunate.

But that's not the only side to the story. From God's perspective, there would come a time when this sycamore tree would be needed. Back before this scene was to play out, years or even decades before, God knew that a man's entire life would change at this exact spot. So, God planted this sycamore tree. Over the years it probably provided in other ways for many other people, but those happenings are not what would make this tree famous. Not until a short, rich man wanted merely to catch a glimpse of Jesus. At that moment, the true purpose of the sycamore tree was fulfilled. God knew and planned ahead.

The ease at which we are able to write unique moments off as a coincidence, or ignore the special things and people placed in our lives, is remarkable. God knows all things, all the time. He knows exactly what is needed for us at any given moment, and provides us these things regularly. Whether we take Him up on His offers right then and there, or stubbornly resort to our own devices, is a completely different story. Here's to being like Zacchaeus and taking advantage of the opportunities we are blessed with. We just might encounter God and experience a life-changing event along the way.

Semi-related note: A song lyric I will never forget is delivered by Flame in a song called "See More Him": "I want to see more of Him because I'm sick of more of me; I'm a be like Zacchae in that sycamore tree." If only I took bold actions like Zacchaeus to set myself aside and instead do things to create a better, clearer view of Jesus.