"Zacchaeus"

"And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, 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." Luke 19:2,3

As children we learned the story of Zacchaeus who "climbed up in the Sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see".  We learned that he did this because he was a "wee little man"-- he was little of statue. 

Allow me a little license here to give my opinion about Zacchaeus.  The Bible tells us a few things about him.  It says that he was a little man.  He says that he was a tax collector.  It says he was rich.  I believe that because of his size he felt intimidated and inferior.  He was probably the blunt of many "short" jokes.  He was probably made fun of and laughed at.  He may have been bullied and picked on.  Being a tax collector made him feel powerful.  Being rich made him feel superior.  His position gave him pride.  It probably made him arrogant.  He was no longer the laughing stock, but had the "last laugh" because he had the authority to legally take money from the people, how ever much he chose to take, and could punish those who did not comply. His word was law.  He "worked" for the Roman government so that meant he was a "big fish in a big pond".  In short (no pun intended), he thought his position and possessions would give him value, prestige, riches, a comfortable life and honor-- it would make him "somebody". 

But one day he heard Jesus was coming.  Zacchaeus swallowed his pride and climbed up a tree so he could see Jesus when He passed by.  One of the lessons we learn from this story of Zacchaeus is that our worth and our value (that which makes us "somebody") is not in what we possess, in who we are, in our reputation, in our popularity, in our accolades, in our position.  I believe he learned this lesson himself.  He was made fun of by the people because of his statue.  He was hated by the people because of his position as a tax collector.  People will never make us feel as special and as valued as we really are.  Our positions and riches will never give us that security either.  But Jesus loved and accepted him.  Jesus is who made Zacchaeus somebody.  Jesus is who makes us somebody. 

Have a great day.  Your worth and value is not measured by any external thing you posses or title you hold, but by the fact that Jesus loves you. 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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