Luke 19:1-10

Thoughts:  This story is familiar to many of us; Zacchaeus, the tax collector who was so interested in getting his eye on the Miracle Worker, that he climbed a tree to watch him from above., Zacchaeus HID in this tree. He didn't just go for a better view. He wanted to be out of sight. He was lurking in the shadows, behind the large, bushy leaves of the sycamore tree. Although he was interested in this Man named Jesus, but clearly, he still wanted to remain unseen and unnoticed.
However, the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost that day, as he does for us each and every day.  He looks for those who are hiding in the shadows, those who may be wealthy on the outside but are poor in spirit on the inside. Those who others don't reach out to, or those who people do connect with but they still feel lonely. Jesus saw straight through the tree, called out to His lost son, and loved him anyway.
It didn’t take long with Jesus before Zacchaeus knew what he had to do. Salvation came to Zacchaeus that day—not because he gave up his possessions, but because he no longer served them. His heart belonged to Jesus and that was enough to change his entire life in an INSTANT.  His sole devotion was given to Christ that day, and everything he did was out of the desire to serve and please Him alone. 
Discussion:  What may be something you’ve kept in the shadows, hoping to keep it hidden from Jesus? How can you change that habit? Do you know that Jesus is already with you in the dark place, trying to shine His light through it? How can you help friends and family who may be in the Sycamore tree? What can you do to show them the love of Jesus? 
Activity:  Pray with me: “Jesus, I ask you to see me. I know you always do. But today I pray that even in my dark times when I am lurking in the shadows and I'm in the sycamore tree, thinking that whatever I have done is too embarrasing, too wrong, too much, too dark for You. Help me to hear you calling my name, loving me, speaking to me that I am always your child. That what I do is never can never make me too far gone for you. You already know what I am struggling with and what is in those dark places of my heart. So today, soften my heart, take a hold of my heart, grant me a pure heart—that I may devote today and every day to you, even when it is hard. In Your name we pray."