14 Oct The Puzzle of Belonging, Lessons from Zacchaeus
I have a friend who enjoys putting puzzles together. She’s incredible. She has the patience to finish any puzzle she starts. She often talks about her puzzles, describing how much time she dedicates to completing them. Every piece is examined and set aside on the table to be used when it fits in its proper place. Sometimes those pieces don’t fit for days or even weeks, as other pieces need to be placed first. Over time, the puzzle comes together, and every piece finds its place.
I’ve experienced things in life that I couldn’t explain, and there are still some that I can’t understand; they haven’t found a place in my life yet. So, those pieces remain on the periphery of the puzzle, waiting to be placed at the right moment. They are prepared for when they’ll be needed. But until that moment comes, those pieces won’t make sense. Like my friend, they have to sit on the side of the puzzle table until they fit.
No Small Task
Jesus went to a city called Jericho (see Luke 19:1-10), and in that city, there was a man named Zacchaeus. I remember being a young child in Sunday School singing, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he! He climbed up in a sycamore tree, the Lord he wanted to see!” The problem Zacchaeus had was greater than his lack of height; he was a tax collector, and leaping over his despised status among his countrymen was no small task (pun not intended).
How was this short man, whom no one wanted to help (really, even today, who wants to help a tax collector?), supposed to catch a glimpse of the Lord Jesus as He passed by? He didn’t even consider that Jesus might stop to change his life forever; that seemed impossible because everyone around him despised him. Why would Jesus consider stopping for him? Still, Zacchaeus hoped to at least catch a glimpse of the Lord as He went through the city.
Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus because he was quite short and needed a boost. Sitting in the tree, Jesus approached him, talked with him, and from that moment on, Zacchaeus’ life was forever changed. He returned the stolen money, and his character transformed from the inside out.
Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. A man was there named Zacchaeus, who was a very important tax collector, and he was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because he was too short to see above the crowd. He ran ahead to a place where Jesus would come, and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:1-5 NCV
Before it was Needed
But have you ever considered that long before Zacchaeus climbed the tree, God planted it to meet his need? He placed a piece of the puzzle in the right place so at the right time, Zacchaeus would encounter Jesus. Until that time, it was a random tree that at best offered shade for weary travelers on warm summer days. It wasn’t until Jesus walked through Jericho and met Zacchaeus that the real purpose of the tree was revealed: it was meant to bring Zacchaeus closer to Jesus.
I imagine Zacchaeus had no intention of even speaking with Jesus and might have even scurried off in fear had Jesus begun walking towards him. In the tree, Zacchaeus was cornered on his branch. He had nowhere to hide.
The Zacchaeus Moment
There are pieces of the puzzle that will fit into our lives just at the moment they are designed to fit; we need to leave the pieces alone until the Zacchaeus moment arrives.
It will fit perfectly.
God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
Psalm 18:30 NLT
Just like every puzzle piece has its proper place, so do we in God’s plan. Zacchaeus might have felt like an out-of-place piece, looked down on, dismissed, or even despised. Still, Jesus sought him out, called him by name, and gave him his place in God’s picture of redemption. If you’ve ever felt overlooked or as if your life doesn’t quite fit, take heart: Jesus sees you, too. He calls you to come down from whatever tree you’ve climbed and welcomes Him in. Will you, like Zacchaeus, open your heart and let Him place you where you truly belong?
Relevant reading: https://www.faithward.org/how-to-create-a-sense-of-belonging-and-invite-everyone-to-contribute-their-spiritual-gifts/
A Prayer to Belong
Lord Jesus, thank You that You see me just as You saw Zacchaeus. When I feel overlooked, remind me that I have a place in Your plan. Help me trust that every part of my life fits into the picture You are creating. I open my heart to You today. Come in, make Your home with me, and let me find my true belonging in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lea Peters has been a pastor’s wife and missionary since 1987. She has served alongside her husband, Jamie, planting churches and establishing faith-based community outreaches in Africa. She has four children and two grandchildren.
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