Could Have Been You.

I must apologize again for my inconsistency in posting to my blog. I would like to say I've just been to busy, but should always find the time to communicate with you guys. Even to say I didn't have anything to say would be a stretch. Simply because I live life. And even if life is not enough there is always my friend who sticks closer than a brother, or my Heavenly Father, or His word. I suppose the best excuse is no excuse. Therefore, I simply ask your forgiveness. Having said that let's move on.

I was pondering just yesterday some of my favorite Biblical characters. I came across one that I have always loved. He's the one children sing about, Zacchaeus, you know the "wee little man". I thought about how a lot of us are a lot like Zacchaeus. For instance, he was rich. Now, maybe we are not rich with material possessions but, we feel kind of rich with ourselves. Sometimes we think "we are all that". We think we have got it all together and under control or at least that's the persona we portray, all the while we are empty and desolate on the inside. Nothing seems to satisfy, something is always lacking.

Zacchaeus was small in stature. I'm sure he heard all of his life about his "shortcomings". Ridiculed and harassed by those around him. We may not be short but in our eyes we're not very significant. We assume that our place in life is always relegated to the background. No one notices us and in the midst of a crowd we feel alone. The room may be full but within ourselves we are alone.

He was also an outcast. He was a tax collector which meant he worked for the Roman government. The Jewish people did not care for Rome and liked their taxes even less. It would be safe to say they liked tax collectors even less than that. He had no social life outside of what would take place with his family. He was not allowed in the Temple because he was considered unclean. The only interaction he had was when he tallied the amount and collected the tax. He was an outcast. At times don't we feel this way? Our friends seem to have forgotten who we are, our acquaintances never acknowledge our presence, and even our family seems to have turned their back. And, we feel like an outcast.

So, here is Zacchaeus empty, alone, and an outcast. He's run ahead of the crowd in order to see Jesus. He's climbed the tree in order to see Jesus. He listens intently as the Savior calls him by name. At that moment the empty alone outcast becomes Zacchaeus the host of the only begotten Son of God. His life is changed dramatically.

Christ will do the same for you. He's calling your name. In the midst of your despair, detachment, and degradation He's calling you by name. He is just what Zacchaeus needed and He is just what we need. Listen, He's calling your name.