Climbing trees used to be my favorite activity. It may still be, I just haven’t done it in a while. I love to be up high, and just the action of climbing toward the sky is fun for me. As an added benefit, I hear it can improve your cognitive ability! Once I get to my perch, I am content to sit there for a while observing all that is around and below me. It is a welcome change of perspective. When I was younger, if my mom couldn’t find my brother and me, undoubtedly, we were in the high pine trees next to our house.

When there is a parade, or a person of significance, or something going on in front of me and I cannot see around the people or obstacles in front of me, my first thought is: Climb! Climb! I look for the highest point on which to stand, or at least stand on my tiptoes, as high as I can get myself.

Jesus incited this same response in a tax collector named Zacchaeus. He climbed a tree to see Jesus, the rumored miracle man. (See Luke 19:1-10) A little background on tax collectors in that area at that time: They were Jewish, but considered traitors because they collected taxes from their people on behalf of the Roman government, whose tax levies were oppressive. Not only that, TCs usually took more than Rome required, to line their own pockets. Zacchaeus was rich from the sweat of his countrymen and thus received disdain from all. And he was short. Not a negative feature, but one the Bible notes. So, when the massive crowds surrounding Jesus blocked his view, this determined, “wee little man”, put aside his pride, position, and reputation to climb a tree to see the One he had heard so much about. The men of the day wore tunics (aka – skirts), so being up high would yield some delicate exposure of this person who considered himself better than his subjects. Not only that, he ran to get to the tree. Again, an activity unbecoming of an aristocrat. And climbing a tree…well, you get the picture.

There was something so intriguing about Jesus that Zacchaeus risked it all just to get a glimpse. When Jesus stopped and told Zac that He would be coming to his house for dinner, Zac was overjoyed and welcomed Jesus immediately. Others grumbled at the audacity of Jesus to spend time with such a traitor, but Jesus saw Zac’s heart: One that was open to such an invitation. One that risked it all just to see the Messiah. And one that responded with action to the conversion that a relationship with Jesus creates.

Zac forsook it all to seek His Savior. It is the beginning of a new year. Often at this time of year, we evaluate the past, calculate what to get rid of, what to keep, and what to change for the better. Zac’s new life began when he saw an opportunity for something more and embraced it. His life had been lucrative, but not complete. He sought Jesus and fixed his eyes on Him who is “the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) Zac’s life became so filled, so radically changed by Jesus, he was willing to give all of his wealth away to those he had wronged. His new lifestyle was now relying on Jesus, not money, position, and power, to meet his needs. Now THAT is transformation!

What can we learn from Zac that can carry us into the new year? Is our heart so passionately seeking Jesus that we receive with joy the invitations He extends to us to come alongside Him in His work? Are we willing to risk what others may think of us to get closer to Jesus? Are we willing to put our faith into action in such a way that we must lean on Him for our sustenance?

Let’s climb higher in our faith this year so that we gain a fresh perspective on who this remarkable Savior is, and serve Him with reckless abandon. We will be filled. Others will benefit. He will be glorified. It will be the most fun we can ever have!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!