Jesus is passing through Jericho, surrounded by a massive throng of people.
Here is a little man named Zacchaeus who wants to see Jesus. But he can’t see him.
Why couldn’t he see Jesus? One complication was being “little of stature.” Short. Insignificant. And, because he was a tax collector, not very much liked by anyone. So he had neither the physical nor the social stature to see Jesus.
However, if Jesus were not surrounded by the multitude, his little stature would not have prevented him from seeing Jesus.
What really hindered him?
“He could not for the press.” The “press” is what prevented him from seeing Jesus. The “press” is the crush of people, the multitude of them jostling and jousting for position and advantage.
Jesus is similarly difficult to see today because of the multitude of things that crowd us, distract us, and press us.
We can’t see Jesus because of the religious system.
We can’t see Jesus because of the cares of this world that enter in and choke the Word, so that it becomes unfruitful.
We can’t see Jesus because of the other things we are looking at and paying attention to.
We can’t see Jesus because we let too many things come in to press us.
We can’t see Jesus for the press.
In the parable of the marriage supper, the ones who were invited began to make excuses. This one just got married and cannot come. That one just bought a field and cannot come. They are too pressed.
Martha is vexed with “much serving.” Pressed into doing, pressed into being busy, and too pressed to sit at His feet and hear His Word.
We can’t see Jesus for the press.
“Press” is the root word of “pressure.” When people feel under pressure they use another word to describe it: “stressed.”
Stress and pressure. Too many things going on. Spiritual things, being invisible and intangible, become less and less thought of, as the things, concerns, and cares of the world press in upon us.
We can’t see Jesus for the press.
Zacchaeus did two things to beat the press and see Jesus.
First, “He ran ahead” (Lk. 19:4). We cannot see Jesus if we follow the crowd. If we do what the crowd does then we will always be in the press, blind as a bat to spiritual truth.
You cannot follow the crowd. You cannot be swept away by the multitude.
You have to run ahead of the press. You have to get in front of it. If the press hits you every day at 8:00 a.m., you need to be with God ahead of the press. Otherwise the press will rule your day, and you won’t see Jesus for the press.
Run ahead of the press. Don’t be one of the sheeple. Get out in front and stay there. Leave the press behind so you can see Jesus.
The second thing Zacchaeus did was, “He climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him” (Lk. 19:4). To beat the press you have to rise above it. Get higher. Get above the press.
Zacchaeus used a tree to get higher. We can use prayer to get higher. We can use worship to get higher. We can read Scripture to get higher. We can go for a prayer walk, or sit quietly before the Lord for a few minutes a day to get higher.
Whatever the methodology you choose, the principle is the same: get higher. Don’t be pedestrian. Don’t be so earth-bound.
Lift up your voice. Lift up your eyes. Lift up your heart. Lift up the hands that hang down.
Go up. Rise up. Climb up. Soar.
That’s what Zacchaeus did. And Zacchaeus saw Jesus. You can too, if you run ahead of the press and rise up above it.
So Jesus went home with Zacchaeus, while the press stood around and criticized.
But Zacchaeus paid them no attention.
Excellent post, thanks Chip for these words. It gives food for thought as nearly every one of my friends, and myself included, are finding stress and pressure increasing daily and finding it hard to cope with it all – but as your post puts it – we must or we will lose sight of Jesus.
Wow! This is exactly the word for this hour!
Thank You Lord for sharing that with bro. Chip, who in turn shared that with us.
Love you!
David
Thank you Chip for this post and for continuously posting despite down sizing your operation for lack of physical resources. The Lord is your resources so that we benefit from what you are doing. God bless you and your wife.
That is a great message Chip. I am fortunate to be 75, so don’t have work or deal with the wild world out there. I stay on the strait road………away from all who might hinder my walk with Jesus. I consider myself lucky to have this opportunity. I do not attend a church, I listen to you and Derek Prince and Jimmy Swaggart daily. I play praise music , or listen to Jimmy S. program where there is always praise and worhips music going on. I so enjoy the Lord every day. He is with me and I with him and hope you will be back very soon. In the mean time I have been listening to your teaching on Romans and enjoying it very much. God bless and do hope you are back soon. Jackie
To God be the glory for the wonderful and powerful teaching, i will not be the same in jesus name, i will be ahead and above my pressure and see jesus everyday. May God bless you CHIP.
yea knowing the lord is like knowing a spouse–the more time you spend with them and give them your attention the better you relate to them and the better they relate to you.i learned this the hard way after my wife divorced me because i took her preson for granted.
Love it! No words needed. 🙂
June 9 – Set Apart
Count not these days as lost.
You have, even in this seemingly narrow life, countless opportunities for self-conquest. There is no greater task than that.
I set apart those who greatly desire to reflect Me, because there is danger that in the crowded ways, and among others, self will gain the ascendancy.
For a time, until self is recognized and conquered, you too must withdraw into the wilderness.
You are learning much, and I am your Teacher.
Come with Me into a desert place and rest a while.
Dear Chip and Karla, thank you for helping to develope my Spiritual life.I have learned so much under your teachings. I have a wonderful Sunday School teacher and w hen I started under her teaching I knew nothing about God’s Word and I am so grateful and thankful for her. You are the only other teacher God has sent to help me. I could relate to the press because just this morning I met the press before I met with Jesus. It is evening and I have not gotten with the Lord as yet today. Your teaching bought me back to what is important in life and I am gong to beat the press and go be with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank God and thank you.
Very practical point. Beat the press. Is rising and walking focusing in Him. He then, become our vision, our purpose, our daily path. Is the press we have to turn down by dressing ourselves with Jesus Christ. God is great! Thank you brother for functioning in the Ecclesia as teacher encouraging the Body of Chris to grow in grace and knowledge in Him. May, God continue encouraging you to share His Word. Maranatta!
A great lesson, from one our ‘littlest’ members! (not meaning you, of course) 🙂
Many thanks Brother CHIP for this massage ,I like it and it is my prayer that by the grace of our mighty
God will help me to beat the press.GOD BLESS YOU CHIP & KARLA
Like Zacchaeus, we all need to “climb a tree.” or as you have said, Chip, “embrace the Cross”
Quote: “You have to run ahead of the press. You have to get in front of it. If the press hits you every day at 8:00 a.m., you need to be with God ahead of the press. Otherwise the press will rule your day, and you won’t see Jesus for the press.”
This is so VERY true.
We all are little Zacchaeus. And not only the “press” prevents us to see Jesus but it also prevents us to listen to Him. Martha could see Jesus but could not listen to Him. Mary did. Like Zaccheus she had the right attitude. Thanks for the lesson.
Bro Richard
‘Run ahead of the press.’ ‘Lift up your voice. Lift up your eyes. Lift up your heart. Lift up the hands that hang down.’
Thank you Chip for these much needed words in my life. Praying for God’s Wisdom, Grace and Peace to be a continual blessing to you and your family.
Thank you Lord for always giving me the words that I need to hear at exactly the right time.