What Is Your Name?
“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ He said.” [Luke 19:5]
What is your name? You’ve likely been asked that question countless times in your life! At the risk of sounding prideful or arrogant, I have to say that I love my name! I hope you can say the same. The reality is that I had absolutely nothing to do with my name – it was merely bestowed upon me by my parents. Nevertheless, our name defines us, it gives us recognition (good or not) and it is our identity.
Zacchaeus’ name defined him. Unfortunately for him, people knew his name, but they probably knew him better by the names they had given him! He was not a well-liked person. Officially, he was known as the chief tax collector for a particular area of Israel. Since the Romans ruled the world at this time, they ordered a tax be paid to the Roman government by all Jewish citizens, and the Romans hired Jewish citizens to collect these taxes from their fellow countrymen. Not only that, these tax collectors could levy any amount they wanted over and above the required Roman tax. They got to keep the excess. Zacchaeus was one of the best! He became the region’s chief tax collector and became wealthy at the expense of his neighbors. Consequently, he was hated by the Romans and despised by the Jews. His life was a mess!
Having heard rumors about a man named Jesus coming to town, Zacchaeus wanted to get a glimpse of Him. However, he faced a slight problem: Zacchaeus was too short to see over the large crowd that gathered around Jesus. But Zacchaeus was so desperate to see Jesus that he climbed a tree to get a bird’s eye view of this man, Jesus. This was probably the best place for Zacchaeus to be since he would not have to hear the names others were undoubtedly calling him: Scoundrel! Thief! Cheater! Liar! Traitor!
Suddenly, the unthinkable happened. Just as Jesus was passing by the tree where Zacchaeus was perched, Jesus stopped and looked up. Immediately, He called out, “Zacchaeus!” What music to his ears! It might have been the first time in a long time someone called him by his real name. Jesus, knew his name!
What about you? Do you find yourself perched in a “tree” desperate for Jesus to come along and intervene in your situation?
The God who created the universe, the God who holds planets in place, is the same God who knows your name! Yes you! He sees you in your “tree” and He is calling you by name! He wants to meet you right where you are, no matter how desperate the situation.
What is the “tree” in which you are sitting?
