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I remember watching a video once with a group and being asked to count how many times we saw the ball being passed by players in white shirts. Your eyes were continually moving from one place to another trying to keep count.
When the video was finished, they asked what we saw. We recounted the number of times we saw the ball passed and we were all pretty proud of ourselves for being so observant.
“But did you see the guy in the ape costume?”
What?
They played the video once again and sure enough, right there on the screen was a guy in an ape costume. It was only for a short time, but we were so distracted by what we thought was important that we completely missed it.
Luke 19:1-7
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 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 sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”
What did you notice about this story? Was it Jesus’ knowledge of Zacchaeus being up in the tree? Or was it that Jesus was received joyfully by Zacchaeus? Maybe you saw a man who was desperate to see Jesus and in his robe, gave up his dignity, to climb a tree and see Jesus.
But what did ”they” see?
“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”
They were so distracted by what they thought was important that they completely missed it.
They missed seeing the beautiful display of grace and love. And they would miss seeing it in their own lives.
Will you?
What has your focus and attention when it comes to God, Jesus, the Bible, salvation, grace? Are you missing the point? Are you too focused on what you think you have to do instead of seeing that Jesus has already done it?
Jesus is calling to you today. He wants to come in and abide with you.
Abide.
To remain.
To rest.
Don’t you want that?
Don’t miss out on the most important part.
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