Come Down.

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. Luke 19:5

As I kid I often wondered why cats got stuck in trees. After all they are great climbers and they seemed to go up the tree so effortlessly. I researched it and learned that cats have claws that curve the right way to ascend, but the wrong way to come back down if they try it head-first, which is the only way they can think to do it. As Christians, we too easily find our way into situations, but have a difficult time figuring out how to get out.

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a better look at Jesus. He had heard about him and wanted to see for himself. Jesus called for Zacchaeus to come out of the tree so he could go to his house. Zacchaeus went up the tree one way but came down another. As Christians, when we find ourselves in situations that we can’t extricate ourselves from, we must also listen for the voice of the Master and heed his instructions. We have to repent. We have to confess our sins. We may have to repay. So how do cats get outof trees? The same way we can get out of trouble: We have to come down looking up.

If you have climbed a tree of sin and find yourself high in its branches today and are afraid , look heavenward and find your way down.

Deacon Larry Woodard