New Life Ministries

How Big is Your Want To? Luke 19:1-4 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. (NLT) How big is your “want to”? I find a great deal of humor in the scripture above. I like to meditate on the stories of the bible. I like to see them taking place. Verse 2 says that Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. It says he had become rich. I don't think he was a young man. I can picture this short, middle-aged man wanting to see Jesus so badly that he does something he hasn't done in years. He climbs a tree. I am 50(+) years old now. I don't remember the last time I climbed a tree. I used to be quite a tree climber. When I was in my early teens, I helped my neighbors build a 3 story tree house. We spent most of 3 summers in that tree house. It wasn't a board in a tree. It had a roof and shingles. It had glass windows. It had sleeping quarters. Eleven of us slept out in that tree house one night. When it came to tree climbing, I used to be “a player” . Do you know what I mean by that? I used to participate. I don't climb trees anymore. I don't know what would cause me to even try to climb a tree now. Maybe if I was being chased by a bear? Maybe if Louisville was flooding? Maybe if Karen was angry and carrying an iron skillet? At 50 years of age, I am stuck with many pleasant memories of how it used to be. What drove Zacchaeus to set aside his dignity and pride and revisit tree climbing? He had a hunger for Jesus. It wasn't good enough to listen to other's stories. Jesus had just healed a blind man on His way to Jericho in chapter 18. There was a real excitement throughout Jericho. Jesus was going to be available to Jericho. Zacchaeus was willing to do whatever he needed to do to see Him. How big is your “want to'? Look at the reward for Zacchaeus' action. Luke 19:5 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today." Luke 19:9-10 9 Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man* came to seek and save those who are lost." (NLT) He Looked Up. He Called Him By Name. And Then.......I MUST BE A GUEST IN YOUR HOME TODAY! Wow! Zacchaeus made a decision to go hard after Jesus, only to find Jesus coming hard after him. Are you content with not being a player in the supernatural move of the Spirit that is going on right now? Are you filled with memories of how it used to be? We sing that our latter will be greater...... but that is only for those that are willing to climb a few trees. The promises of God are for the doers. Go Hard After Jesus. Jer 29:13-14 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the Lord , "... NIV Look at verse 14 in the NRSV Jer 29:14 14 I will let you find me, says the Lord , NRSV What a promise. Start by being honest with yourself. Don't compare your life with someone else. Ask yourself, “Have I allowed other things to take over first place in my life?” If the answer is yes, then the next question is How Big Is My “ Want To”? How much Jesus do I want in my life? Only you can answer that. Take time right now to lift you hands and tell Jesus how much you love Him. Spend just a few minutes worshiping Him. Ask Him to help you decide what is important today. You will not be sorry. Prov 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV