GO CLIMB A TREE Larry W Peebles November 5, 2021 21.41
One of my favorite childhood activities was tree-climbing. I loved the change of perspective from being higher than normal, and I loved the challenge of seeing how high I could climb into a tree. As a young boy, I was impressed with this truism–the higher one climbs, the farther they can see. One of my favorite trees to climb was in my own backyard, where a particular limb of a huge tree had a branch that stuck out to the side. The branch was about the size of a trapeze bar. By climbing out on the limb, I could lean out and grab that branch, then swing back and forth like being on a trapeze. When my strength wore down, I simply dropped to the ground. My friends and I spent countless summer hours in that tree. The bark on that branch eventually wore down smooth, making it easier on the hands to swing back and forth.
As I grew older, my Dad introduced me to hunting. White-tailed deer in Texas are prolific in number, and are hunted each year to manage the population. One of the best ways to hunt was to climb a tree in a strategic location, and wait for a trophy buck to pass by. I have long since lost count of the number of mature bucks I have seen from a position high up in a tree. I have seen the sunrise and sunset from those same trees, watching the sky come to light or go to sleep. I have seen the sunrise on a hillside covered with a heavy white frost, a picture of such beauty it remains fresh in my mind today. Climbing a tree lets one see things from a different perspective, and a better vantage. It may take more effort, but it allows one to see things they would have never seen otherwise.
The story of Zacchaeus in the Bible is an excellent example. The story begins in Luke 19: 1-4- “Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.” By way of background, on the way into Jericho, Jesus healed the blind beggar who cried out repeatedly in a loud voice “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He cried out in spite of warnings from the crowd to keep quiet. His determination to attract the attention of Jesus paid off. (Luke 18: 35-43)
On the near side of Jericho, Jesus encountered a man with a physical condition who ignored the crowd and was focused on finding Jesus. On the far side of Jericho, Jesus encountered a man with a moral and ethical condition who was just as determined to find Him. Though a Jew whose name meant “pure or innocent,” Zacchaeus was a hated tax collector, an employee of Rome. Tax collectors in those days often collected more than was due, and kept the difference. Rome looked the other way, as long as they got what they were due. Jericho was a trade center, with a strong merchant tax base for Rome. It was known for the trade of balsam (the “balm of Gilead”), a mixture of plant-based gum, resin and essential oils used for medicinal purposes. Zacchaeus was also rich, so we know his hand was in the tax till. Perhaps it was his heritage or his namesake that drove him to pursue Jesus. Maybe the story of the healing of the blind man traveled through the city faster than Jesus did. We can’t be sure, because scripture does not tell us. We do know he was motivated to see Jesus, and he knew he needed to change his position to do it. Because he was short in stature, the only way to break out of the crowd was to get above it. He climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. His radical effort paid big dividends.
Over and over the Bible says “the crowds followed Jesus.” Notice it does not say Jesus followed the crowds. Jesus does not look for the crowds, He looks for the individual. We must display effort and determination in searching for Jesus. When we do, He rewards our efforts. It is like playing “hide and seek”. He does not hide from us in order to not be found, but He does expect us to search for Him. He promises that when we search for Him with all our heart, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7-8). Many pay Him no attention. Many in church today will pray He visits their church, but will not go out to where He is already moving, perhaps in another city. Only a few will “climb a tree” or do anything equally as radical to find Him.
The Bible says three things happened as a result of Zacchaeus’ effort:
1. Jesus came to stay with Zacchaeus. Luke 19:5-7- “And when Jesus came to the place [the sycamore tree], He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, ‘He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.’” Jesus noticed Zacchaeus, and when He did, He came to stay with him. The Greek word for “stay” is meno (Strong’s #3531), which means to remain, live, remain, abide. When Zacchaeus sought Jesus, he not only got His attention, He got a permanent friend who would stick close by his side forever. His house would never be without the spiritual presence of Jesus. Neither his past nor his present came into consideration. Jesus saw his heart, and responded. What Zacchaeus had done did not matter, nor did the opinion of the crowd. Jesus was moved by what He saw in Zacchaeus’ effort to find Him, and was not afraid of the complaints of the on-lookers.
2. Zacchaeus was radically saved. He joyfully received Jesus, probably welcoming Him with great honor. Luke 19:8- “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 four-fold.”’ The Holy Spirit was in and around Jesus, and brought great conviction of sin, so that repentance and right-standing could follow. Zacchaeus was a new man, made whole again. In his experience of converting to a believer, Zacchaeus voluntarily and radically gave half his wealth to the poor, and repaid every direct accusation against him four times. He had found the trophy—the pearl of great value Jesus had spoken of in Matthew 13:46. He would gladly give all to possess it. This response stands in stark contrast to the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22. The young ruler asked what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus said to keep the commandments, sell what he had and give it to the poor, and to follow Him. The rich young ruler considered the price too great, and went away sorrowful.
3. Zacchaeus’ household was saved. Luke 19: 9-10- “And Jesus said to him, ‘Today, salvation has come to this house, because he is also a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’’’ We are all sons and daughters of Abraham, spiritually adopted into the family of believers that God promised Abraham would be as numerous as the stars, and the grains of sand at the sea. But we must receive that promise. The Bible consistently speaks of the entire household being saved because the head of the household came to salvation. For example, when Paul and Silas were jailed in Philippi, they were dramatically freed and their chains fell off. The jailer who witnessed their release marveled that they did not run. He and his household were saved as a result of their testimony (Acts 16:31). Jesus came to save the lost, and when one seeks and finds the Lord, He will visit the whole household. The benefit for the effort of one will be multiplied to others. That is why Joshua boldly proclaimed, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).
The world’s reaction to Jesus is as varied today as it was when He walked the earth in human form. Some are not interested at all, while others actually hold Him in disdain. Some will stumble over Him and keep going. Others will search, but will give up too easily. A few will not give up until they find Him, and will go to great lengths, even climb a tree, to find Him. When they truly find Him, He will come to stay. He is worth the cost and effort of the search. I believe the greatest revival the world has ever seen is coming soon, and will cause a supernatural return to Jesus. It will spark a mighty search for Him, because He alone satisfies the longing in the heart of man for love, joy, peace and purpose. May this coming revival turn the world into tree-climbers.