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It’s Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker. To learn more about what FMF is, click here.

Today, the word prompt is Tree.

Go:

Earlier this week on the blog I talked about Zacchaeus and how his curiosity led to a passion to see Jesus.  He ran ahead of the crowds and climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse. He had no idea that Jesus would call his name and plan to go to his home.

How many times do we climb to be seen? How many times do we do things mostly out of servant hood, but also out of a desire to get a pat on the back or grow our platforms?

In Christianity, the point of climbing the tree is not to be seen, but to see Jesus.

After studying Zacchaeus in depth last week and seeing his story and life through a different perspective, other than just the song written for children, I recognized something eternally important: Zacchaeus climbed the tree to see Jesus with expecting nothing in return. Humble curiosity led to a passionate pursuit as he ran ahead of the crowds and climbed the tree. And through it all, at the end of the story, Jesus brought salvation to Zacchaeus, not because Zacchaeus offered to give half of what he had to the poor or return what he had stolen fourfold, but because Zacchaeus recognized Jesus as Lord.

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

-Luke 19:10 (N.K.J.V.)

We have to believe. And we have to learn to humbly climb the tree. We must go out of our way to serve, but not because someone might see us serving, but only because we believe in Jesus and our passion to share the truth of who He is.

So go ahead and climb your tree! Climb to See Jesus.

Have a blessed weekend, Friends!

Love,

Jennifer

PS: Did you hear about my announcement?