Luke 19:5 (NASB) ‘And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. ‘
This past Sunday at Celebrate Church in Knoxville, Aubrey Schneider shared with us the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. She told his story very well and brought focus to a man that most gloss over, I know I did. She did a remarkable job of describing some significant things about the man, his position and the impact of these things during his time. She created a context and vantage that I personally have never looked from. I would strongly encourage you to listen to Aubrey’s message online and do some further digging into the significance of Zacchaeus’ inclusion in Luke’s gospel.
What I would like to highlight for the sake of today’s writing is something that Aubrey shared in prayer and asked that we focus on going forward. She asked us to think about someone we do not get along with, perhaps even hate. Think about someone, that if they were chosen for some great honor, instead of you, it would just really chap your backside. Then she asked that you pray for that person, pray that God would bless them. Then she asked that we pray for God to (and this is the part that really got me) allow us to REALLY see them, to allow us to look on them through His eyes, as He sees them.
In verse 5 of chapter 19 it says ‘And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him’. Jesus “SAW” him. He always does doesn’t He… see us? He sees the person He created in His image. He sees our worth, our potential, not what the world sees, not the tax collector, the sinner. What would happen in and to your life, the life of ALL those around you, not just the people you dislike or those you hold grudges and animosity towards, but everyone you come in contact with, what would happen if you prayed everyday for God to bless them? What would happen if you followed those prayers with, “Heavenly Father, open my eyes and my heart, Lord, that I would see this person as You made them, as You love them, through Your eyes, Lord!” WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?! Let’s experiment, shall we?! Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
