Jacob had a rock for a pillow.

Moses saw a bush on the backside of the desert.

David had stones to pick up for his slingshot.

Zacchaeus had a sycamore tree.

How long had Jacob’s rock been there, since the flood? How long does it take a bush to grow on the backside of a desert? Had David’s stones lain there since the beginning of the world? Had a tender of sycamore-figs planted Zacchaeus’ tree many years before? 

Like Jacob, Moses, and David, God planned and prepared for Zacchaeus. The sycamore-fig tree is not native to Israel. It is an import from Egypt and other places outside Israel. Sycamore-figs have a fruit that must be tended to make it edible. Each fig must have an incision made in it so it ripens before the insects destroy it. 
Like the tree, Zacchaeus was an outsider. He was a tax collector. He was not a part of the community. When he knew Jesus was coming through Jericho, he ran to the sycamore tree, climbed up and hid among the branches and leaves before Jesus and the crowd arrived. He didn’t want anyone to see a grown man climb a tree and he probably didn’t want Jesus to see him either (Luke 19). 

Jesus was set to go to Jerusalem but He took the time to stop under Zacchaeus’ tree, look up and say, “Zacchaeus, come down, for I’m going to your house today.” (Remember singing that song as a child?) The people were horrified that Jesus would go spend time with a publican, a sinner. Zacchaeus wanted Jesus and the people to know he was going to be a different person because Jesus took time for him. He publicly repented announcing the changes he would make.
Zacchaeus was like the tree he climbed. Jesus had pierced his heart with the conviction of his sins. Jesus had changed him into a fruitful Christian who still bears fruit to this day. Years before God had planned for Zacchaeus and prepared the place for him to meet Jesus. 

Jesus has planned and prepared for each of us. It was up to Zacchaeus to choose to see Jesus, to know more about Him. It’s up to us to choose to know Jesus. He’s already done all that is necessary for us to come to Him.

How can you share with others how God prepared a time and place for you to come to Jesus? What or where is your sycamore tree?

Blessings- Gail Cartee

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