We tend to discount the places on our way to our destination. It is in those moments where we get the opportunity to gather people to join us. When we live a life in relationship with others, we can go further on our journey. Jesus was present and engaged on his way to Jerusalem. Every encounter he made with a person on his path allowed people to build a relationship with God. He remained focused, open, and kind to anyone he met regardless of their identity created by society. How we represent Jesus through our behaviors and actions brings curious people one step closer to God. We are encouraged on a daily basis to actively seek and save those who are lost. This was Jesus’ great mission and He desires us to partner with Him. He came to make disciples and calls us to do the same. It is not our journey to walk alone but to bring others with us to God’s eternal promise. Your purpose and mission is right here, right now with Jesus.
‍

The church doesn’t have a mission, the mission has a church.

1. Lose your cool and push through

There will always be a crowd that will try to stop you from coming to Jesus. Like Zacchaeus, who had to pull up his tunic to be able to sprint to find Jesus, sometimes we have to lose our “cool”, forget our limitations and find a way to push through and get to him in order to have a change made in our lives.

   “He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.” - Luke 19:2-3

2. God Knows Your Name

The Bible says that when Jesus reached the spot he              looked up and said “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Of all the people to take a liking to, Jesus picks the most unlikely and calls him out by name. Just as Jesus notices him, He sees you. Jesus longs to call you by your name and not your shortcomings. He goes as far to invite himself into your life and disregards how He will be perceived by the crowds.  

John 10:3

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

It’s important to know as servants of God, we become selfless to the cause of winning souls and serving our communities, especially in these challenging and chaotic times where it is easy to become distracted, overwhelmed and even discouraged. Walking with Jesus is not just about preaching, but it’s also about impacting the present moment here and now.  That is the example of Christ. He gave himself selflessly, so that you and I can have life today. We are called to join the mission and follow in Christ’s footsteps — that’s all that He asks of us. Jesus knew that He had to defy the expectations of the crowd in order to reach Zacchaeus, as Zacchaeus was not the most popular person. As disciples we have to pray for the spiritual boldness and insight to go into the trenches to reach the lost and overlooked. Are you here for it?