Xanthe Hancox

This tree is mentioned a number of times in the Bible. In Amos 7:14 we read that Amos was a gatherer of sycamore fruit. But the most famous sycamore tree is no doubt the tree that Zaccheus climbed so he could get a better view of Jesus.

He wanted to see who Jesus was but...he could not because of the crowd. Luke 19:3

Do you remember the song you sang? Now imagine if Zacchaeus hadn’t climbed the sycamore tree, it would go something like this:

Zacchaeus was very little man

And a very little man was he

He started to climb a sycamore tree

But he didn’t...

And then...he went home.

The tune doesn’t really work without Zacchaeus’ upward journey, does it? What would have happened if Zacchaeus hadn’t climbed the tree that day?

It’s easy to notice the three main characters in this story—Jesus, Zacchaeus, and the crowd of distractions. But there’s another one, a crucial one, the sycamore tree. If the tree hadn’t been there, Zacchaeus would have just been lost in the crowd.

The sycamore tree created a clear line of vision for Zacchaeus. It helped him to rise above the crowd and see the Lord clearly. It placed him in the perfect position for the invitation that would follow. For us, the sycamore tree is a symbol of that place in our own lives which enables us to have a clear vision of Jesus. And Zaccheus didn’t hesitate when Jesus called him. With the same lack of caution which he had demonstrated in climbing the tree, he came down to stand in the presence of God. There he heard the call that would forever change his life, and he responded as quickly as he had climbed the tree, not caring what the crowd must have thought.

Where is Jesus passing through in our lives today? He is always there for those who climb their sycamore trees to see him. How about in our workplace, our relationships and our families? Are we running out to meet him? Or, are we afraid of what that might ask us?

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you still come to seek and save what is lost. I pray that today I would put myself in a position where I can see you. Help me to be a sycamore tree for those around me too, so that they may see you more clearly. Amen.