Just A Squirrel Tryin To Get A Nut

Picture by Caprice Miller

 

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”   Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.” – Luke 19:5-6

As I looked at this picture I was so taken by the contrast of the grays and browns of the tree against the bright blue sky that I almost missed the furry little guy in the middle.  I’m the kind of person that enjoys watching squirrels scamper around.  I watch how they interact with each other and I laugh at how they seem to enjoy tormenting the dogs at times.  Looking at him I’m reminded of lyrics in a song – “It’s your world and I just a squirrel tryin to get a nut.”  (Everybody Dance by Bob Sinclair)  This little guy also reminds me of a guy mentioned in the book of Luke – Zacchaeus.  In a way you could say he could probably have related to those song lyrics too.  He may have thought of himself as “just a squirrel tryin to get a nut” although his means were not very honest. 

 The Bible tells us that Zacchaeus was the head tax collector in the region of Jericho.  He was basically working for the Romans and taking money from his own people, the Israelites.  And to add insult to injury, he was known to be very dishonest about it and took much more than he should.  Needless to say, he was not a favorite person among the people of Jericho.  But in spite of his transgressions, there was something in him that obviously stirred when he heard Jesus was passing through the town.  It was such a stirring that it caused him to run ahead of the crowd and climb a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus for himself.  For a man of his position this was an extremely undignified thing to do.  You know that it must have been REALLY important to him to see Jesus if he went to such undignified means to do so.  Perhaps this undignified activity is what drew the attention of Jesus to him.  In the verse above we see that Jesus stopped, looked up in the tree, called him by name and then proceeded to invite himself over to the guy’s house for dinner. 

It’s important as your read the Bible to slow down sometimes and really consider what is being said.  As I slow down here I have to ask,

·         How did Jesus know his name?  He just came into town. 

      ·        And if he knew his name, wouldn’t He also know that he was not an honest man? 
      ·         Why wouldn’t Jesus choose the house of a nice, hospitable person to go to? 
      ·         After all, what would people think?

What I then realize is that this is Jesus.  Why wouldn’t he know the name of Zacchaeus?    He knows all.  And yes, He knew the little guy was a notoriously dishonest man.  And yes, He could have gone to the house of any nice, hospitable person.  And of course, he knew this choice would not be popular among the gossipers – the Pharisees. (Those that thought themselves to be more appropriate host of the “nice and hospitable” nature probably) This was not the first time Jesus encountered this reaction.  We see in Matthew 9 another occasion He decided to befriend a tax collector – his future disciple, Matthew.  Jesus response to the Pharisees who asked the disciples, “…Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” – Matthew 9:11 was this:

 “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” ¹³ Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” – Matthew 9:12-13

 We are all sick in some way, shape or form.  But too many times we don’t recognize our illness.   Zacchaeus knew he was sick and that he was doing wrong.  When we sin, when we are wrong, we instinctively know it too.  There are times when we would like to ignore it and pretend it’s not there, but the reality is that we know what is wrong and we also know that God knows.    If we allow ourselves to pause we also realize that Jesus is passing by in our own lives.  We know we want to get a glimpse of Him, but that transgression in our lives seems to get in the way.  We even convince ourselves that we are too sick or too messed up to see Him anyway.  But if can choose to climb above that sin, that transgression, that wrong in our lives we can discover that Jesus already knows all that.  He also knows our name and He still wants to come into our house and spend time with you. 

As you continue to read in Luke 19 you see that because of his encounter with Jesus Zacchaeus became a changed man.  He determined to correct his wrongs and give back four times as much as what he had taken.    That’s what happens when we humble ourselves enough to recognize the sickness in our lives and choose to spend time with Jesus.  We can experience healing and restoration of that relationship with Him that leads to amazing life change.   And really, you don’t even have to climb a tree – Jesus sees you already and knows your name. That’s how truly special you are to Him.  

True Freedom

Picture by Caprice Miller

 ^“For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.  He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.  This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” – 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Lady Liberty….well, a replica anyway.  But no matter how small she may be in this picture, what she represents is still very significant.  As we know, the real Lady Liberty stands tall in the middle of Ellis Island.  For so many years this statue has been a beacon of hope to those seeking an opportunity for a better way of life in this “Land of Freedom” called America.  For those of us who are blessed to be a part of this land, we can take for granted the freedoms we have and ability to pursue our dreams that it offers.  We can also take for granted that this freedom we have was not free.  Many have sacrificed their very lives so that we can continue to have hope and pursue those dreams.  We forget that this freedom that has been fought so hard and valiantly for is something that others in the world want to steal, kill and destroy.  Why would anyone want to take away freedom?

It really isn’t a surprise that there are those who want to steal something they don’t understand and have never experienced.  Having a relationship with Jesus Christ can be met with the same disdain by those who don’t know Him and have never experienced Him.  They don’t realize that He told us what the enemy was doing then and what he continues to do in our world today.  Jesus also told us what His purpose in our lives is.  He said:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10

Those who haven’t experienced Him look from the outside and assume that being a Christian is all about a list of “don’ts and can’ts” and if you cross the line on any of those rules and regulations, you’re doomed.  The reality is that we have ALL missed the mark – sinned.  The enemy would like for us to live a life full of hopelessness, shame and despair that the realization of our mistakes – sin brings.  Sin has created a gap…a chasm between God and humanity.  It has robbed us of our freedom and damaged the relationship that God so desires to have with us.  Jesus bridges that gap to enable that relationship to happen. Jesus came to this world, died a sacrificial death and then defeated death through His resurrection so that we could have freedom from that sin and the hopelessness, shame and despair it brings.  This freedom allows us to have a relationship with God Himself!   He provides us the opportunity to live in the freedom and peace that His forgiveness and grace brings.  Jesus is the path to true freedom and destroying the enemy’s attempts to kill, steal and destroy the freedom and peace only Jesus can provide. 

The world we live in today is full of people being used by the enemy to carry out his mission of killing, stealing and destroying.  There is a lot of fear that can come with this - fear that will rob us of our freedom. Know that your freedom in Christ is so much stronger than whatever the enemy can sling.  Grab on to the peace He provides and determine today to live a life NOT of fear, but one of abundant love and joy in freedom. 

If you haven’t accepted the free gift of freedom Jesus provides, here’s how you can do that right now:

“Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and that I have messed up from time to time. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead. I choose to follow You, Jesus, and I confess that You are my savior. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and giving me freedom. I love You. Amen.” 

Now, tell somebody so they can celebrate with you and get involved in a local church so you can be encouraged by others.