And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5)
In our large world it is easy to feel that we are nothing more than an insignificant speck in the midst of a multitude. Our world tends to depersonalize us, seeking to make us like everyone else, but God loves us in specific ways that are particular to us and relates to us accordingly.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to fulfil His assignment on the cross. The multitudes thronged around Him in such numbers that Zacchaeus, who was a short man, could not see Jesus unless he climbed into a tree to see over the crowds. Zacchaeus would have been satisfied simply to catch a glimpse of the great Teacher but Jesus stopped, turned, and looked directly at him! The moment Jesus called Zacchaeus down marked a new beginning in Zacchaeus’s life. Zacchaeus seemed like an unlikely candidate to spend time with Jesus and yet Jesus focussed in on Zacchaeus and addressed his spiritual needs. The time spend with Jesus radically changed his life.
Jesus will relate to you in ways that are unique to you. He knows your past; He knows what you will face in the future and He knows what your needs and challenges will be. Because He knows everything about you, His word to you will perfectly fit the circumstances of your life. You may be in a group of Christians who are listening to God’s Word, and you may hear things from Him that no one else hears. Do not become frustrated with others if they are not as excited about a truth from God as you are. Do not be impatient with them if they are not implementing God’s word in their lives as you are in yours. God will personalize His word to you. He will relate to each of your friends in a way that specifically meets their needs as well. Just like with Zacchaeus, Jesus will meet you where you are, address your spiritual needs and guide you in the direction you should go. If you respond to God’s call and nurture your relationship with Him, you will experience God to the fullest.