Most of the people these days have an urge to see Jesus from a distance and then carry on their own ways without looking back. Zaccheaus was one such person in the Bible who had the utmost desire to see Jesus. But his encounter with Jesus changed him inside out.
Luke 19: 2-6:
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. 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.
Here we see a man of high position and of great wealth. He didn’t have any reason to come near Jesus as he had all the reasons to be content with what he had and the state in which he was. But still he may have heard a lot about Jesus and may have wanted to SEE him. He had no other intention or motive! Some of us were in a similar situation years before or maybe even now. But if we have even the slightest encounter with Jesus, we can never stay the same or go back to our old life. Many of us have that desire to see Jesus from a distance, but we may not have yet gladly welcomed him in all the areas of our life. Some of us go to church on Sundays to “see” Jesus from a distance but not to experience him intimately.
To those people, Jesus is telling “ Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today”. Jesus longs for an everlasting connection and relationship with you. Zacchæus obeyed and welcomed Jesus gladly. But immediately he had to leave his comfort zone as he decided to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay those whom he had cheated.
At times, God takes us out of our comfort zones. We may question God as to why we are put in such uncomfortable situations although we had submitted everything to Him. It’s for nothing, but to have a stronger connection with our Heavenly Father. When we are out of our comfort zones, we easily recognize that there are thousands out there, who are standing far away from Jesus. They may have seen Him, but may not have accepted Him. It might be for the salvation of a single soul that God plants you out of your comfort zone!
So where do we stand? Are we like Zacchæus standing far away just to see him? If so, today invite Jesus into all the walks of your life. Or if you are a person whom God has brought just outside of your comfort zone, it is to share this Good News to thousands around you who still haven’t invited Jesus into their hearts. Never be content in your spiritual life.
Let’s look at few personalities in the Bible who were not content with their spiritual life:
I) Mary, mother of Jesus:
In John 2:3 we read “When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
Mary could have stayed out of this problem and not be bothered by it. But instead of being content, Jesus’ mother took the burden of another family to Jesus. Do we approach God carrying others burdens? Or is our spiritual life and prayer life self centered? Let’s not be content with our spiritual life. Because there are thousands of souls perishing everyday.
II) Elisha:
2 Kings 2:9
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
Elisha had to persevere and sacrifice a lot in order to receive a double portion of Elijah for which he had to:
Be in constant connection with Elijah
Leave everything he was doing, he had for the greater calling that was put on him
He clearly knew it was far more worth to respond to God’s calling than all that he had in this world.
Just like Elisha, if we long for a double fold spiritual growth, we might need to make certain sacrifices (certain friendships, relationships, pleasures need to be broken), but realise that it’s far more worthwhile than everything else.
III) Mary:
In Luke 10:39, we read about Mary and Martha. “She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.”
Mary longed to sit at the Lord’s feet listening. But she didn’t stop with that, she anointed Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume. She could have easily been satisfied by just listening to Jesus’ words, instead whatever best she had, she poured it at Jesus’ feet. Are we giving our best (our talents) to God?
My final thoughts are: let’s not stand at a distance from Jesus, instead long for a stronger connection with him daily. If you think that you have a strong spiritual life, never be content with it. Instead, intercede and work to bring others to Jesus.