God’s Got You Before You Were Even Born
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. Luke 19:2-5
The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus was friends with sinners and that He loves to bring salvation into their lives. Zacchaeus was a hated tax collector, for he was corrupt and stole money from people. Fortunately, Jesus came at just the right time to meet Zacchaeus and release him into his true identity and destiny in Christ. At some point in our lives, we were like Zacchaeus—wretched sinners who encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus, and thus we were released into our identity and true purpose in Him.
Other than this view of Zacchaeus’ life story, there is also something about the sycamore tree. We can read in Luke 19:2-5 how Zacchaeus was able to see Jesus, even though he was small. How could it be there at such a perfect place and perfect time for a small man like Zacchaeus to climb and be able to see the Messiah of his life? It was perfectly placed there on a perfect day, just as Jesus came by Jericho, so that Jesus could notice Zacchaeus and come by his house. It means that the sycamore tree had been planted there long before Zacchaeus was even born, for God already knew that a small man named Zacchaeus would someday need that tree in order to meet Christ.
Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations,” and [Psalms 139:13-14 says, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well] .” Our Heavenly Father knew us before we were even born and is familiar with every detail of who we are. God already knows what we need in order for us to fulfill our destiny in Christ.
Whenever you feel that you are lacking, whenever there is fear of tomorrow in your heart, and whenever you are anxious or worried, may this story remind you that God’s provision for your whole being—body, soul and spirit—had been planned and laid out before you were even born. Since the foundation of the world, you have been in God’s mind, just as He strategically placed that sycamore tree for Zacchaeus to encounter Jesus Christ. You have nothing to worry about, for the Father knows you. He knows all your needs and will never fail you.
