When God is not the top priority in our lives, we soon find ourselves ruled by alien gods. Zacchaeus, we are told, is short both in physical stature and in moral standing. His desire to see Jesus is so great that he humiliates himself by climbing a tree just to catch a glimpse of the Lord. Jesus, looking up, calls him down and honors him by choosing to stay at his home. In the same way, the Lord comes seeking us. Despite our weaknesses, shortcomings, and undesirable behaviors, he desires to visit us. Wealth comes with dangers: it can become like a god, demanding our allegiance and becoming the main focus of our lives. Money often makes it harder to set our priorities correctly, and God can easily take second place. The encounter with Jesus changes something deep within Zacchaeus’s heart. Meeting Love incarnate brings him to repentance and realigns his heart with God. The addiction to wealth that once gripped his life is broken, and he is set free.

PRAYER: Abba Father, search my heart and root out every area that is not aligned with you. Amen.