“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 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. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.”
We know the story well, of the little businessman from Jericho, Zacchaeus. One day when Jesus was walking through his city, Zacchaeus wanted a particularly good view of the man causing all the stir in his town and country. Wanting to stay out of the line of site and get above the crowds, he climbed up in the Sycamore tree in the direction the crowd was going.
Perhaps Jesus just happened to glance up in the tree, or else something drew Him to look up. But Zacchaeus caught the attention of Jesus, and there was something supposed to happen that Zacchaeus could never have avoided. Zacchaeus thought he was there that day to get a look at this man, but Jesus had other plans.
Jesus can see right through the leaves of any Sycamore tree you are hiding behind. That day, Zacchaeus met someone that completely changed his life. Christ can completely change your life. He will do it just the same today as He did for Zacchaeus. Perhaps you have already encountered Him, and you need to become reaquainted with Him. He knows just where you are sitting.
There He was, the Word of God, manifested to this Zacchaeus. Down out of the tree he come, quickly, to repent. Zacchaeus, businessman here tonight, remember, you cannot hide under fig leaves. He knows just exactly where you're setting. He knows you. He knows who you are. He knows your name. He knows why you're here. He knows all about it. That's right. And we who have met Him, and know Him, and become His disciples, we know what He is and what He does for the people. We know that He remains the same. Zacchaeus come down, in a penitent attitude. He said, "If… Lord, if I have cheated any man, I'll pay it back. I'll take my money; I'll give to the poor." See, he had already found that Pearl of great price. He had found something that was more than his business. He had found something, that Something. And all men tries to achieve something. But if you lose Eternal Life, what all your achievement done for you? The greatest treasure that a man can find is to find release.