seeking Jesus

In the Midst of Many, Jesus Sees One

August 21, 2016 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (NIV) Luke 19:5

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus and his desire overcomes 2 obstacles, the crowd and his own height. He runs ahead of the crowd. Can you imagine the site? Here’s a little rich guy running ahead of the crowds. When he reaches the 30-40′ high tree, he climbs the short trunk and perches on 1 of the spreading branches. Evidently he did not worry about looking ridiculous!

Zacchaeus thought that he was seeking Jesus, when in fact Jesus was seeking him. Jesus reaches the spot. He looks up and in the midst of many, Jesus sees one man. He calls Zacchaeus by name. Jesus knew his name and his character. Jesus did not see who he was from the outside. . .God does not look at the things man looks at. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). So what did Jesus see when He saw Zacchaeus?

** Jesus saw a man being held captive by his own sin
** He saw one who had been beaten down by the world. . .one who had been deceived by the promises of life
** Jesus saw a man who was dieing inside

As we go through life we often feel insignificant. But, one life does matter. Zacchaeus is one seemingly insignificant man who was noticed by God.

In the midst of this crowd Jesus sees you. He knows all about you…

** How you spent the day yesterday
** Your disappointments and the pain you’ve experienced, as well as your successes
** Your frustrations
** Your fears
** The decisions you are facing
** Your worries

He knows when

** You feel like giving up
** You are down
** You are happy
** He knows the answers to your questions

In the midst of many, Jesus sees one…YOU. And cares for YOU!

Who Are You, Sir?

May 19, 2013 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. (NIV) Acts 9:1

In his own words, Paul said: “… I went after the Christians mercilessly, hunting them down and doing my best to get rid of them all” (Galatians 1:13). Threats and slaughter become the very breath of Saul. His fury included the arrest, imprisonment and death of Christians. Paul was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2). As if no disciples of importance in Jerusalem, Paul focuses on pursuing those, beyond Judea. He goes to Damascus to determine if are any Christian believers there so that he might persecute them.

Damascus had become a dominant trading and transportation center. Perhaps, strategically Paul wants to keep the lies from spreading to other areas of the world. His objective is to search out all those of the Way – the phrase that’s a scornful label for the early Christian movement used by their enemies. Paul set out for Damascus as an aggressive persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, but will becomes a champion of their cause.

Damascus was about 135 miles from Jerusalem or a journey that would take at least a week using donkeys or mules for transportation. As Paul neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him in his native language of Aramaic: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Paul responds by saying “Who are you, sir?” To his surprise the answer is: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Paul’s conversion is due to the personal appearance of the risen Lord, who appeared as literally as He did when He appeared to the disciples for 40 days before He ascended to Heaven. It is not a mere vision. It is not a figment of Paul’s imagination. It is not a dream, but a manifestation of the risen Lord.

Paul saw Jesus Christ, “risen, living, speaking, and His face shining with light above the brightness of the sun.” When have you seen the risen Christ with the eyes of your heart?

Wholehearted Decision

July 27, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” . . .Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (NIV) Luke 5:8, 10-11

The Scene:
Peter is overcome with his encounter with the Divine Jesus. . . so much so that he acknowledges his own sinfulness (Luke 5:8). Jesus tells him not to be afraid and that “from now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). Peter’s response: he left everything and followed Jesus. Peter encountered the Divine, acknowledged his sinfulness, and then was reassured that he could be a disciple (a follower) of Jesus. His reaction was one of commitment.

When did Jesus call you to be a follower of His? What has been your response? At first, did you wholeheartedly seek to follow Him? And now has that commitment worn off a bit? What do you need to do today to renew your passion in following Christ?

seeking Jesus

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