“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”
Saint Augustine
One definition of intimacy is being known (understood and accepted), seen, and heard. Jesus, in Luke 19:1-10 was passing through Jericho when He decided to display His intimacy with a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus. Jesus wanted Zacchaeus to experience Him as El Roi, the God who sees and Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was. Because of his short stature and his inability to see over the crowd, Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.
How hungry and thirsty are you to see and experience Jesus? Are you like the psalmist in Psalm 42:1-2 that writes: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Is your passion to lock eyes with Jesus so great that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to see Him face-to-face? Do you choose to get out of your comfort zone and make sacrifices just to be in His presence?
Zacchaeus was unwilling to be a part of the crowd and sacrificed being comfortable by climbing a tall tree. When Jesus arrived at where Zacchaeus was, He looked up and called Zacchaeus by name. Jesus spoke value to the tax collector by inviting Himself over to Zacchaeus’s house. Zacchaeus’s intentional pursuit of Jesus was rewarded with presence of God.
No matter where you are, Jesus knows your name and understands who you are – your likes and dislikes – and what He created you for. Jesus sees your willingness to take risks and make sacrifices in order to experience His presence and He will honor your passion with Himself.
Be like Zacchaeus. Don’t follow the crowd. Instead, take a risk, get out of your comfort zone, and go out on a limb to see Jesus. Let your passion for Jesus compel you to be known, seen, and heard by Him.
“There will never be anything more exciting or wonderful than being close to God.”
Rick Joyner
Relevant Reflections:
1. Describe times when you have felt known, seen, and heard by Jesus.
2. How has Jesus honored your pursuit of Him?
3. What is one sacrifice you can make to show Jesus you are passionate about Him?