Obstacles

There is a priceless lesson in the interesting story of Zacchaeus. If anyone is serious about his soul’s salvation, serious in the pursuit of truth, serious in her desire after Christ, that person will—most assuredly—get all they seek for, and much more beside. The earnest seeker is sure to become a happy finder, regardless of the obstacles in their path.

When Zacchaeus desired to see Jesus, there was a crowd in the way. Add to this his physical limitations, and thousands would have found sufficient motive for giving up any thought of seeing Him. But Zacchaeus was not so easily discouraged. Was there a crowd? He could run ahead of it. Was he short? He could climb up into a tree. Had there been a thousand obstacles, I am convinced that the earnestness in Zacchaeus’ heart would have overcome them all. The same difficulties which give the careless and the halfhearted their excuses, provide the serious seeker of God an occasion to demonstrate their hunger for Him. 

There is really no excuse for anyone; all are welcome. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Those who make excuses do not truly want to come to Christ. It would be far more honest of them to declare plainly that they do not want to have anything to do with God, with Christ, with holiness, with heaven, than to put forth their flimsy excuses, or to plead difficulties which would be considered as nothing if they had the heart of Zacchaeus. Jesus is as ready now, as He ever was, to save all who come to Him. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). 

Reader, are you unsaved? Are you uncertain? Are you unsettled? Be serious about your soul’s salvation. Do not be hindered by difficulties. Let nothing prevent you from coming now, just as you are, to the loving Savior who stands waiting for you. He will meet you—just as He met the publican of Jericho—with a full, free, and everlasting salvation.

—C. H. Mackintosh, adapted

We too can be prevented from seeing Jesus. Pride can blind us from seeing Him as the Wonderful Counselor. Anxiety keeps us from knowing Him as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Hunger for status and stuff can prevent us from seeing Him as the true source of satisfaction—the bread of life (John 6:48).

What are you willing to do to get a better view of Jesus? Any sincere effort to get closer to Him will have a good result. God rewards people who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt