Can Others See Jesus?
One of the familiar narratives of the Bible is that of Zacchaeus’ encounter with Christ. Luke 19:1-10 records that story. As Jesus was passing through Jericho on His final journey to Jerusalem, a crowd gathered to see Him.
Among the people was a tax collector named Zacchaeus. Because he was short and the crowd was large, he climbed a tree to get a look at Jesus as He passed. When the Lord came by, Zacchaeus got more than a glimpse; he received a new life. Jesus called the tax collector down from the tree and went to his house for lunch. Zacchaeus was saved during that encounter. In fact, he even repaid four times any taxes that he collected wrongly from anyone. What a wonderful account of Jesus coming “to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) Upon careful consideration of the scene in Jericho that day, a question arises for us to answer: Could Zacchaeus possibly have seen Jesus without climbing that tree? Yes, if the crowd in front of him kneeled. If all those people were on their knees, he would have had a clear view of the Savior. As Christians, we are to help others to see Jesus and come to salvation. The problem is that our life often stands in the way of people seeing the Lord. Our words, our actions, our attitudes—these so often prevent others from getting a glimpse of Christ. So often, the lost must climb a tree to see Him because we are in the way. It is only as we humble ourselves before Him that Jesus can be seen by those behind us. Only as we get down on our spiritual knees do we open the line of sight for others. What about your walk? Can others see Jesus without climbing a tree?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.