*A Strong Desire to See Jesus — Overcoming Every Obstacle*
> “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 sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.” Luke 19:3–4
What would have happened if Zacchaeus had not climbed the sycamore tree that day and had simply kept waiting to see Jesus? Perhaps Zacchaeus, who was an unjust tax collector, would have died in his sins and been lost forever before God. Perhaps he would have been crying like the rich man who was begging for a drop of water in hell, cursing himself and saying, “If only I had climbed the sycamore tree that day when Jesus passed by, I would not have descended into the depths of hell.”
It was not about climbing a sycamore tree, but about overcoming the obstacle that stood in the way of seeing Jesus. Zacchaeus did not accept the limitation of his short stature. He did not give up his desire to see Jesus. Instead, he sacrificed his shame, social status, and concern about “what people would say” for his intense desire to see Jesus. He climbed the tree and saw Jesus to his heart’s content.
Do not be defeated by your limitations! Your intense desire to see Jesus has the power to help you overcome every obstacle. How long will you keep saying, “I am short, my complexion is dark, I am not well educated, I do not know English, I am afraid, I cannot remember things,” and so on?
If all you desire, like Zacchaeus, is to see Jesus, then this Word is for you: _“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6_
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin