As we enter this season of Lent, we must concentrate on the importance of Jesus’ ministry, and how his ministry still carries on with us today. The same Jesus in the Gospels is the same Jesus in our lives today. As Jesus ministry progressed, he gained popularity. People wanted to come out and learn more about him. They were curious about Jesus.
Today, Christians need to awaken the curiosity in people about Jesus Christ. When we are curious about something, our human instincts sometimes have no restraint in satisfying that curiosity.
This is why having curiosity can be a good thing—and a bad thing. We need to be curious about the right things. Otherwise, we will confirm the truth of the saying—curiosity killed the cat. We need to be curious for Christ.
In Luke 19:1-10, we meet a curious individual named Zacchaeus. We know that he is short, rich, and not well liked in the community because of his profession as a tax collector. We also know that he is a curious fellow. When we meet him, Jesus is coming through the city, and a big crowd has gathered in the streets. They were curious about this man Jesus. Zacchaeus was a part of this crowd, but he could not see, because of his height, and climbed a tree so he could get a good view of him. Unfortunately, many of us have lost our curiosity for Christ. Many of us feel like we already know everything about him, and we have lost our sense of wonder about who is. Others have become more curious about worldly issues than spiritual matters.
During this season of Lent, we need to awaken our curiosity about Christ. We need to come out of our houses, safe places, and comfort zones and act on our curiosity about Jesus. Curiosity cannot stop at the side of the streets. Trying to look over the heads of other people, sometimes we have to go the extra mile and climb the trees. Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus and to get to know him. He was willing to climb the tree. What Zacchaeus did not realize is something that we all need to understand. Fully satisfying that curiosity and getting to know Jesus is more than a glimpse of him walking down the street. It requires a relationship.
While Zacchaeus wanted to get to know Jesus, Jesus already knew him. Jesus looked up and called out to him, and invited himself over. Jesus responds to our curiosity, our desire to know him. He invites himself into our hearts, lives, and situations.
But we must agree to have him over. The people in the crowd were spectators, but Zacchaeus wanted more than to see Jesus walking down the street; he wanted to get to know Jesus. This is how strong our curiosity needs to be. It makes us want more of Jesus.
If the spectators wanted more of Jesus, they would not have criticized him for eating with Zacchaeus, a sinner. After having Jesus over to his house Zacchaeus repented of his sins and agreed to give 50% of his goods to the poor and pay back those who had cheated to four times the amount.
When we are curious about Christ and that curiosity is satisfied, we will never be the same. As we reflect upon the power and wonders of Jesus Christ, let us continue to get know him—even if we have to climb a tree to do it. Be curious for Christ.
