Wanting to See but not be Seen

Wanting to see but not be seen. Can't we all relate? Wanting to see and know but at the same time hoping to not be noticed. Because if we were truly seen and truly known we may be neglected or rejected.

Zacchaeus was a wealthy man and most likely had all he needed and wanted. Yet, Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus, to simply get a glance at the One he had heard about.

Unable to see through the crowd, his desire grew to determination as he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up a tree to get a good look at this Man walking by.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but never expected to be seen by Jesus. After all, who would notice a man sitting up in a tree? Plus he was a sinful man and Jesus was not.

But Jesus did notice him. More than that, Jesus saw Zacchaeus into the depths of his soul. Jesus not only saw him, He knew him, He created him after all. He came to seek and to save him. How astonished Zacchaeus must have been to hear Jesus call him by name.

Zacchaeus went from wanting a glimpse of Jesus to joyfully receving Jesus into his home. Sure, Zacchaeus wasn't a saint and sure there were mockers who didn't understand, but the Savior had seen him, called him by name, and wanted a relationship with him. That outweighed the opinions of others. He didn't stay in the tree feeling unworthy, he came down and received Him joyfully.

Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and his life was forever changed. Zacchaeus received way more that day than a glimpse of Jesus, he received a new heart, a Savior, and a love he had never known.

Maybe you have been watching and wondering from a distance. It is time to heed Jesus' call and climb down to encounter, receive, and enjoy the Savior. Be certain of this: He sees you. He sees your struggles, pain, sins, fears, and hopes. He sees you and desires you. Will you respond to His invitation?

Whether we want to be seen by Him or not, He does see us. He does know us. He is calling us. He beckons us also to come out of hiding to truly see Him, to dine with Him, to know Him.

"Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are- the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, "Have I also here seen Him who sees me?" Genesis 16:13

"for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10