Get To Jesus

 October 30, 2022

For years, I’ve heard the admonition, “Don’t get ahead of Jesus!” It sounds like good advice; stay by his side, don’t wander away or get so anxious that you are trying to rush his ways. But this morning’s sermon gave me a different perspective. 

Pastor Brandon preached today on Zaccheus, whom the Bible describes as a “short” man. I suppose today, it’s politically incorrect to label someone as short. Maybe we say “vertically challenged,” but short is what the Bible says, so that’s what I’ll say. Here’s the story:

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 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.”

—Luke 19:1-6 

Brandon painted a beautiful picture of the scenario. Being of short stature himself, he imagined Zaccheus trying to elbow his way through the crowd, probably taking an elbow or two to the face. “I understand,” Brandon said. “It’s not because people are out to get you; it’s just that’s where your face is compared to them.” In Zaccheus’ case however, an elbow to the nose may have been intentional because he was a tax collector, not exactly the most loved person in town.

None of us like the tax man, but back then it was worse. Zaccheus was a collaborator with the hated Roman oppressors, and made his living by demanding more than the required tax as a personal surcharge. He got rich doing so, but didn’t make many friends. But he had heard about this man Jesus, and decided he needed to see if he was for real.

So he did exactly what we’re told not do do: he ran ahead of Jesus. He was willing to break our fastidious Christian rules because getting to Jesus the usual way wasn’t going to work for him. The point is simple: running ahead of Jesus isn’t appropriate when we’re trying to get our own way, but if the point is getting to Jesus and getting him to notice you, all bets are off and the rules go out the window. We need to get to Jesus any way we can, even if it means running ahead of him and the crowd, and climbing a tree. Don’t worry about the rules; just get to Jesus!