What battles are you facing in life right now? When challenges come, and you feel like you’re nearing your breaking point, the enemy will want you to believe that your life is over or hopeless. But just like all the great stories from the Bible, impossible situations are often the start of incredible breakthroughs. Consider King David when he faced the threat of war with the Philippines. Instead of relying on his experience and skills as a warrior, he turned to the Lord, seeking His will. In return, God gave Him the victory, because he is the Lord of breaking through (2 Samuel 5:19-20). Breakthrough isn’t just something God can do, it’s who He is. We can learn from Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus about how to experience our own breakthroughs.

Seek Jesus

Jesus intentionally entered Jericho to meet Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector who was despised by the people. Although he was rich, Zacchaeus could tell that there was something missing in his life, and so he desperately wanted to see Jesus. When Jesus arrived, Zacchaeus could not see him because a crowd blocked his view (Luke 10:3). What’s blocking your view of Jesus? Is it busyness, pride, fear, or perhaps the opinions of the people around you? Zacchaeus was able to set aside his pride and the opinions of others, humbling himself by climbing a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. When we seek Jesus with all our heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). The question is, are you really seeking Jesus? Or are you merely part of the crowd that just wants to see Him?

Obey Jesus

Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name, calling him down from the tree and inviting Himself to Zacchaeus’ home (Luke 19:5). “Zacchaeus” in Hebrew means “righteous one” and yet his lifestyle did not reflect the meaning of his name. Despite this, Jesus did not give Zacchaeus a list of religious rituals to perform. Instead, He offered Zacchaeus grace and a relationship with Him before transformation. People were not happy with what Jesus did, seeing Zacchaeus as a “sinner” (Luke 19:7), but while people look at the outside, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 6:7). People may see you in light of your present circumstances, but Jesus looks beyond what you are and sees you for what you can become. Just like Jesus did not let people’s opinions about Zacchaeus keep Him from doing what was right, don’t let what other people may think hinder you from obeying God.

Surrender to Jesus

Zacchaeus responded to Jesus not just in word but in action. Instead of returning only what the Jewish law commanded, Zacchaeus repaid four times the amount that he took from the taxpayers and committed to give half of his possessions away to the poor. In Zacchaeus’ heart, he was willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus – actions that were evidence of his salvation. Breakthrough begins when Jesus enters your life and makes you new. He will change you from the inside out. Will you respond to Jesus’ call in your life today?

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LAST WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)