make like a tree
"He was trying to see what Jesus was like, but being small of stature, was unable to do so because of the crowd." —Luke 19:3
Zacchaeus was small of stature. There are many people of all sizes who are small-hearted, petty, little people. They have trouble seeing Jesus, for they have trouble seeing beyond themselves.
Zacchaeus was unable to see Jesus because of the crowd (Lk 19:3). Greed, pride, hypocrisy, and lukewarmness (Rv 3:16) can crowd us out of seeing Jesus.
Zacchaeus overcame his smallness and the crowd by climbing a tree (Lk 19:4). Be like a tree upon which people can climb to rise above their smallness and the obstructions of the crowd.
The Lord says we become "like a tree" when we delight "in the law of the Lord" and meditate "on His law day and night" (Ps 1:2, 3). The person who loves and lives God's word is like a tree — the tree of life (see Gn 2:9), the tree that Jesus died on (Acts 13:29).
The poet Joyce Kilmer wrote: "Only God can make a tree." Only God can make us like trees which can give the Zacchaeuses of the world the opportunity to see the Savior. Make like a tree.
Prayer: Father, may I never be part of the lukewarm crowd (see Rv 3:16) obstructing others from seeing Jesus.
Promise: "Today salvation has come to this house." —Lk 19:9
"The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost." —Lk 19:10
Praise: Margaret took a job with a non-Christian employer and led many co-workers to Jesus.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996