Lessons from the life of Zacchaeus.

You must have heard that experience is the best teacher. It is often said in the light of one making a mistake and learning from the process. I have often wondered why I need to learn from my mistakes when I can learn from other people’s mistakes. So I love to study people; to ask what they are doing right or wrong, what I may emulate from them and those things I must avoid. For this reason, I enjoy reading biographies and autobiographies. There is something about reading about another person’s life story to get you a new perspective on yours. You may suddenly realise how privileged you are in spite of the many issues in your life; gain a new idea on solving an old problem; realise that your problem is not unique to you; that other people survived and so can you. It opens up a whole new world of opportunities. I challenge you to read one and reflect on the experience. 

And so I love character studies in the bible. It is interesting that God did not put in only the heroic deeds bit also put out the dirty linen out for all to see. These stories according to Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16 are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” God wants us to read and learn from the accounts in the Bible. We will be wise to do so.

By the way of learning, there is a very interesting story in the Bible about a man called Zacchaeus that we can learn from. This is a true recount of actual events and not a parable used by Jesus to teach. You will find the story in Luke 19: 1-10. Let me share with you some lessons I have learnt from Zacchaeus.

1.    Zacchaeus set a goal for himself; a simple uncomplicated one. He wanted to see Jesus. All actions he engaged in from that point was to ensure he realised his goal. He was focused and nothing was going to stand in his way.  Sometimes we fail to succeed because it wasn’t our goal in the first place. If you are going nowhere, you will surely get there. I wonder how many of us have a grandiose plan to the next ten years but none for tomorrow and next week. We drift from thing to another and wonder why we are not moving forward. Have a goal, write it down if possible and stay focused on it.    

2.    Zacchaeus knew and accepted his short coming. I can imagine that when he heard about Jesus’ planned visit, he got really excited and desired to see the man everyone was talking about. Then, he must have thought to himself that there would be a lot of people desiring to see Jesus just like him. It is recorded that he was a short man. He realised his height was a ‘shortcoming’ to achieve his aim and that got him thinking of solutions. Realising and accepting one’s shortcoming is usually the first step in getting a solution to a problem. Zacchaeus set a goal; to see Jesus and considered what the hindrance to achieving it could be. Some people equate accepting a problem as a lack of faith. I think accepting a shortcoming or problem opens the door for faith to come in and work. Why would anyone need faith if all is well? Not accepting or recognising a problem is like covering up a wound without proper dressing; with time it will get infected and expose itself.

It is always a good thing to do some form of stock taking from time to time. Ask yourself what is keeping you from achieving your goal and then take decisive actions to deal with it. Do you need to take a short-term course to learn a new skill that will lead to better productivity? Do you need to speak to someone or have an accountability partner? Do you need to set apart time to rest and recalculate?  Do you need to face up to the fact that you have a negative character trait that hinders your progress?

3.    He was proactive about finding a solution; a way to getting what he wanted.

Accepting that you have a shortcoming does not mean you won't do anything about it. Zacchaeus did not give up his goal because of his shortcoming. His focus was not on the shortcoming but on his goal and he thought of a solution. Many of us like to follow the path of least resistance; we search for other means immediately we encounter an obstacle to our goal or abandon it all together. Some will say it wasn’t the will of God. If Zacchaeus had abandoned his desire to see Jesus because of his shortcoming, his record would not be in the Bible today. Be proactive about your shortcoming; research it;  understand it and attack it.

4.    He did not allow his position and societal status deny him access to what he wanted. He was a rich man but did not think it undignified to climb a tree to see Jesus; he was focused on his goal. I daresay it is not too late to go back to school if a certificate is a shortcoming; to learn a new skill or improve yourself in one way or the other.

5.    Zacchaeus harnessed his opportunity for a greater good. Having achieved his goal, he did not stand in judgement over people who did not climb trees or exert themselves to see Jesus. He realised that he had received grace and extended the blessing to others. The more grace and blessing we receive, the more we should be willing to extend to others. If you have overcome something, teach someone else how to overcome in that area.

This is all I have for now, but I am sure there is so much more to learn from Zacchaeus’ life as the Holy Spirit gives understanding. Consider, learn and do. Have a wonderful week ahead.

I Bi Dem.