There is a tree in Jericho, preliminary tests say is many, many centuries old. Like the Abraham Oaks of Mamre, the Oak tree was re-seeded and re-planted. Some say this Sycamore tree is that important 2 millennium mark. Others - not so sure.
Luke 19:1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 And behold,
there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.
there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.
4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was about to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to Him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”
6 So he hurried and came down and received Him joyfully.
8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house,
since he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Joy is the great explanation of God's Plan. John 14, 15, 16 and 17. Joy.
People ask, did Jesus laugh. I believe Jesus laughed when He said,
"Turn the other cheek." Not just asking to be slapped, but turn away and be at peace with one another. In other words, "Drop it."
Perhaps, maybe, possibly, and just wonder with me. Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God, walked on water because He had such Joy. Jesus said, "Rise!" Quite a lot. Jesus could cast all the momentary irks, pains and sorrows and just rise over it, knowing the Lord God Almighty
Luke 4, as Jesus merely walked through the people He lived with in Nazareth for decades. They wanted to throw Him down 1,000 feet off of Nazareth's Cliff.
Luke 4:29-30
And they rose up, and cast Him forth out of the city,
and led Him unto the brow of the hill
whereon their city was built,
that they might throw Him down headlong.
But He passing through the midst of them went
His Way.
Luke, was a Greek Physician. Luke did not travel with Jesus during His Grace upon Grace years, as a Disciple. And yet, these verses are told as if Jesus was giving a dinner party and giving Grace upon Grace with Joy.
Jesus would begin to tell about His Day:
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
And the Disciples and women traveling with Jesus would smile or laugh. Why?
Quite a few of the Disciples have traveled with John the Baptist and display some pretty interesting discussion questions with Jesus. They have been looking for God. Asking and seeking.
OK, the Disciples and women traveling with Jesus would smile or laugh. Why?
The test of God to the 40-year-Exodus to finally achieve Israel was to head to Jericho first. Because Jericho was not supposed to be the stopping point. This was the first time Joshua, and not Moses, was leading them. 40 years in the desert and stop in Jericho. Jericho is considered to be the Oasis of Israel. A land of milk and honey.
Out of Egypt, I call My Son.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
So the Disciples were ready to hear more of Jesus - telling them about His Day.
And Jesus tells about a small man, who climbs a huge tree they probably know in Jericho. A very large tree. The smiles surround the thought of the small man climbing the large tree. And... this man is a notorious Tax Collector. Even funnier. Tax Collectors aren't a funny situation.
Jesus fully knows the man because He saw Nathaniel under the tree praying. The Disciples know Jesus, they fully understand. The disciples bear witness about these things, and have written these things, and we know their testimony is true. Now, there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. And Jesus calls him Zacchaeus.
And Jesus comes to his house. Bringing the gift of Salvation for always, forever and many days. Even when we have been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the Son.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name,
by the greatness of His might,
and because He is strong in power
not one is missing.
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