Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. What a joy it is to gather together in this sacred space, united in our love for the Lord and our desire to learn from His Holy Word. As we open our hearts and minds to His divine wisdom today, let us remember the words of the great Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." Indeed, it is in the pages of this precious book that we find the strength to stand firm, the hope to carry on, and the love that transforms our lives.

Hurdles in Seeking Jesus

When we look at the life of Zacchaeus, we see a man who faced significant obstacles in his quest to see Jesus. He was a tax collector, a profession despised by many in his community. He was also physically short, which made it difficult for him to see over the crowd. Yet, despite these challenges, Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus. He didn't let his profession or his stature deter him. Instead, he found a way to overcome these hurdles. He climbed a sycamore tree.

This act of climbing a tree might seem simple, but it's actually quite profound. It shows us that Zacchaeus was willing to go to great lengths to see Jesus. He was willing to put himself in a potentially embarrassing situation, climbing a tree like a child, just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. He didn't care what others might think or say. His desire to see Jesus was stronger than any potential embarrassment or ridicule.

We can learn a lot from Zacchaeus's determination. Many of us face our own hurdles in seeking Jesus. Maybe we feel unworthy because of our past mistakes. Maybe we feel overwhelmed by the demands of our busy lives. Whatever our hurdles may be, we can take inspiration from Zacchaeus. We can choose to overcome our hurdles, rather than letting them hold us back.

Another aspect of Zacchaeus's story that we can learn from is his willingness to change. When Jesus called him down from the tree, Zacchaeus didn't hesitate. He didn't make excuses or try to justify his actions. Instead, he welcomed Jesus with open arms. He was ready to change his ways, to turn away from his life of greed and corruption and follow Jesus instead.

This willingness to change is a crucial part of seeking Jesus. It's not enough to simply want to see Jesus. We must also be willing to change our ways, to turn away from our sins and follow Jesus instead. This can be a difficult process, but it's a necessary one. If we're not willing to change, we'll never truly find Jesus.

Zacchaeus's story also teaches us about the importance of persistence. Despite the challenges he faced, Zacchaeus didn't give up. He didn't let the crowd deter him. He didn't let his short stature stop him. He kept going until he found a way to see Jesus.

In our own lives, we may face challenges that make it difficult for us to seek Jesus. We may face opposition from others. We may face obstacles that seem insurmountable. But like Zacchaeus, we must persist. We must keep going, keep seeking, keep striving to see Jesus. We can't let anything deter us from our goal.

Finally, Zacchaeus's story shows us that it's never too late to seek Jesus. Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector, a man who had spent his life taking advantage of others. Yet, even he was able to seek Jesus and find salvation. His story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to turn to Jesus. No matter what we've done in the past, no matter how far we've strayed, we can always turn to Jesus. He is always ready to welcome us with open arms, just as He welcomed Zacchaeus.

Heightening Our Willingness to Encounter Christ

As we continue our reflection on the story of Zacchaeus, we find ourselves drawn to the intensity of his desire to see Jesus ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO