Key Verse: Verse 4 - “And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way."
Key Words: and climbed up into a sycomore tree
The sycomore trees in the Middle East were and are often planted by the roadside. They are planted there because they offer shade and protection from the weather to the traveler.
The trees can grow quite large depending on the soil and moisture. The wood of the sycomore tree was often used for fire and carpentry. While it is not as abundant as it was in Jesus’ day, you can still find many sycomore trees along the roadside of the Holy Land.
In Zaccheus’ time it was a tree that allowed him to see Jesus as His Savior. D. M. Stearns was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him and said, “I do not like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.”
Stearns replied, “If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?”
“I certainly would,” said the stranger without hesitation.
“All right then,” said the preacher, “let’s take the first step. He did no sin. Can you claim that for yourself?”
The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. “Why, no,” he said. “I acknowledge that I do sin.”
Stearns replied, “Then your greatest need is to have a Savior, not an example!”
What to do:
✞ If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior, do so today.
✞ Every time you read about or hear about the sycomore tree, praise God for your salvation.
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