How Well Do You Blend In?
Taking my eyes off the beautiful lake, I looked over at a tree near our camping spot. The bark of the tree looked like camouflage, the most perfect pattern of camo I’d ever seen! Any print, clothing or military gear would have been envious of that perfect design! And it made me wonder why a tree, in it’s most natural state, needed to look camouflaged in the outdoors.
I understood why other things needed to blend in to it’s surroundings, for safety and for protection, but why would God design this tree bark in particular to be a camouflaged pattern?
I tabled the question in my mind and went back to enjoying our stunning 180 degree lake views.
But I knew in that pondering, there was inspiration for a future post and I was right!
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Now back to the story…
I came back home and a week or so later, started researching to find out what kind of tree it was at the lake. A few quick online searches and I had my answer:
A sycamore tree!
You know the one, the tree that Zacchaeus climbed in the Bible and is now a recognizable children’s Bible song:
Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he,
He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see,
And as the Savior passed that way he looked up in the tree, and He said,
“Zacchaeus, you come down, for I’m going to your house today, for I’m going to your house today.”
Learning sycamores are strong, tall and resilient trees, I understood then why Zacchaeus felt confident to climb way up to see Jesus!
But there’s so much more to the story found in Luke 19: 1-9!
You see, Zacchaeus was a tax collector in his time, a chief tax collector, so he was wealthy, most likely unpopular AND considered an outsider among his peers.
Well despite those circumstances, Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was and because he was short in stature, the Bible tells us, he could not see over the crowd that had grew in size to also witness Jesus.
Scripture tells us in Luke 19:4 that Zacchaeus ran ahead. Ran!
Do you know what that means? In this culture it was undignified for men to run, let alone to run in a crowd!
This demonstrates Zacchaeus’ desperation to see Jesus, he didn’t stop to worry about what others were thinking about him, he was on a mission!
As he hurriedly reached for the limbs and hoisted himself high up in the branches, Zacchaeus would be able to see Jesus better from the limbed vantage point.
And see Jesus he did!
But the wonderful thing is, Jesus saw Zacchaeus too!
In fact, Jesus called up to Zacchaeus by his name and told him to come down immediately and that he was going to stay at his house that very day.
Scripture continues to tell us that Zacchaeus came down at once and welcomed Jesus gladly!
The crowd observed what was taking place and began talking among themselves about how Jesus was going to the house of a “sinner!”
Zacchaeus, however, was not phased by the crowd’s muttering. He boldly told Jesus that he was giving half of his possessions on the spot to the poor and if he had cheated anybody in their taxes or in anything, that he would repay them FOUR times the amount! (In doing this, Zacchaeus might not even have any money left!)
Upon hearing this, Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV)
And you know what friend?
That’s you and me too!
Jesus came to seek our hearts and to save our souls!
And here’s the thing: The stately sycamore tree may blend in to its surroundings by design but Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus was anything BUT blending in with the crowd!
So let’s be like Zacchaeus!
There are so many good takeaways from these verses that Luke wrote for us, let me share a few:
Are you tired, left out, feeling like a nobody? Then run to Jesus like Zacchaeus did! God is waiting to welcome you into his loving arms and affirm you as his child!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
Jesus knows your name. If he saw you today in a crowd, he would call you by your name your parents gave you, my friend. He knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally.
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” Psalms 139:2
Jesus loves people. He loves sinners and their souls. He wants to see you give your life to him. No matter how long you’ve been astray, no matter what you’ve done, no matter the reason. He loves you. He died for everyone. That’s you and me.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Are you desperate to see Jesus? What are you willing to do to see him? What are you willing to stop doing?
Just how badly do you want to see Jesus in your life?
That’s worth spending some time pondering, my friend.
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8
Our reward is always running to Jesus, my friend!
Journal ideas:
1. What would be your first thoughts if Jesus announced he was coming to YOUR house today?
2. Do you worry about what others think of you? Do you worry about not blending in? Why do you think that is?
3. How can you live more for Jesus today?
Let Us Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus,
We thank you for creating us in your own image and for loving us,
Help us to see you and want to spend more time with you,
Help us to trust our lives in your loving, capable hands
and to seek you daily.
Amen
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Until next time sweet friends,
Brooke
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I love how you pointed out that Zacchaeus ran towards Jesus, dismissing the social norms just so he could be near Him. That's such a beautiful posture of neediness for God. Thanks for sharing this!
Beautiful writing.