Climbing a Tree to See

 

 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. – Luke 19:2-4 (NIV)

Jesus had entered Jericho and His good reputation having far preceded Him, commanded great crowds to gather.

The people yearned to hear Him, to touch Him and to see Him. Zacchaeus was no different, as he too clamoured to see but due to his diminutive stature, was overshadowed by the massive crowd. So, he runs ahead and climbing a tree to see, unknowingly, had positioned himself to have an encounter with Christ.

Now, first-century Jews despised tax collectors, they were seen as betrayers of their own people because they worked for Rome, the enemy of the Jews.

It’s no surprise that Zacchaeus, as a wealthy, very high-ranking tax collector possessed an awful reputation.

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. – Luke 19:5-6 (NIV)

Jesus stopped and called out to Zacchaeus, beckoning the traitor to come down from his perch. Needless to say the Jews were flabbergasted.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” – Luke 19:7 (NIV)

Yes, Jesus had gone to be the guest of a sinner.

That right there is the whole crux of the matter.

We, rather than encouraging those deemed sinners to repentance by being welcoming, treat them as outcasts due to our own ingrained bias while proudly displaying a WWJD band on our wrists.

Certainly, Jesus would not do those things we do. He sports no such band on His wrist – What Would Christians Do.

Yes, Jesus still goes to be the guest of sinners.

Sadly we, who claim to be followers of Jesus, are just like those first-century Jews, muttering criticisms under our breath about those persons we see as unworthy. Casting judgment on this sinner and that sinner, conveniently forgetting that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s divine greatness but for His grace, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus, we are made free from sin (see Romans 3:21-31).

I am sure that Zacchaeus wasn’t lost on the reputation he had in his community, but he climbed that tree anyway not knowing that his life was about to be impacted in an unimaginable way.

Beloved, like Zacchaeus, despite what others may think of you, and in spite of your past or present misdeeds, you just have to run ahead, not aimlessly but with purpose, climbing a tree until you’re able to see, and position yourself to encounter Jesus.

Proverbs 4:12 (AMPC) tells us,

When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Climbing a Tree to See” © November 13, 2025