Sunday Series: To Never Escape His Notice

"And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully." (Luke 19:1-6)

How small must we be to escape God's notice, and how wicked to not receive His love?

There is nothing too small for Him or too sinful. God loves all. God is love, as the scripture says. The story from Luke illustrates this quite well. Even a publican who was too short to be seen in a crowd was seen by the Savior. I love this story. If Zacchaeus was seen, how could He miss us? He has a place for us and will reside with us if we but strive to see Him.

Allow me to explain that last sentence. Jesus may not have gone with Zacchaeus, had he not climbed that tree to see Him. Zacchaeus sought the Savior, and as a result, the Savior came to him, even into his home. Zacchaeus was a good guy as well- giving to the poor and striving to right every wrong he had done. This seems to me to be a wonderful metaphor for how we ought to live.

I'd like to use this to suggest three guidelines to inviting the Savior in.

1) Give to those in need, whenever possible. 

This is not just those in financial poverty, or those suffering from hunger. Nourish those who are starving spiritually and emotionally as well. Take hold of the outstretched hand, heal broken hearts, bind up their wounds, and help them on their way. They need the help often just as much as those who need money and food. It is almost harder to help someone who is suffering in a metaphysical sense, because their needs are so much less definable. A few dollars or a meal may not help.

Aid all you can, in every way, with needs that are spiritual, temporal, mental, emotional, and otherwise.

2) Seek out the Savior

This is not a casual action. This is the willingness to go to any end, use any means, just to glimpse His face, as Zacchaeus did. Run ahead; climb the tree. Even if He does not see you, you have seen Him and know that He was there. It is necessary to seek out the Savior in all we do, and in all we are striving to be. And it is climbing the tree that places Zacchaeus in the right place and time to meet and shelter Christ.

3) Receive Him with joy

Do not falter in that crucial moment- when the Savior comes to your door, answer it with haste! Do not drag your feet or murmur. Do not wring your hands and hesitate. Receive Him with joy and gladness as Zacchaeus did on that day centuries ago. If we have done all we can, and striven to live the best life we are capable of, then He will gladly remain with us until the end of days. If this is true, what reason might we have to hesitate?