Sitting in the living room of our temporary apartment, my husband napping on the couch beside me, I thought about how fast this mission trip had gone. We had spoken in different churches, Fred had taught in two Bible schools, and I had spoken at two ladies’ conferences. Fred had also checked on the orphanage. Along the way, we fellowshipped with dear friends—relationships forged over years of shared faith and ministry.
Tonight, we’re having a final dinner at a friend’s home. I know what that means—more food than we could possibly eat. You know how it is when company comes over. You do your best and offer your most.
And that made me think about Jesus having dinner at Zacchaeus’s house.
You remember Zacchaeus, don’t you? The little guy who climbed the tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus as He passed by? Jesus stopped, looked up, and called him by name.
“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5, WEB)
I can just picture him scrambling down the tree, splinters digging into his hands and feet—but I doubt he even noticed. Jesus knew his name. I imagine Zacchaeus, wide-eyed and breathless, stammering in disbelief:
“Yes, yes, of course, Lord! You will have dinner at my house!”
Then he was off, running as fast as his short legs could carry him, huffing and puffing toward home, clutching his side.
“Rachel! Rachel!” I imagine him calling to his wife. “We have company tonight! Call the servants! Make a feast! Only the best! No, I don’t know how many are coming—I forgot to ask! Just cook everything we have!”
The table would have been spread with fine tapestries, bowls heaped high with fruit, bread, and steaming grains. A roasted lamb in the center, ready to be carved. How many times had Zacchaeus hosted politicians and dignitaries at his table? Too many to count. But this time, everything was different.
Jesus knew his name.
Out of all the people in the crowd—tall men, powerful men, men with influence—Jesus looked up at the one who had been ignored, ridiculed, and dismissed. And He spoke his name.
Friends know their friends’ names.
“A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, WEB)
Jesus is that friend. The one who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). The elder brother who sees us, knows us, and calls us out of hiding.
Zacchaeus didn’t need healing. He wasn’t blind or lame. He didn’t need loaves and fish multiplied. What he needed was recognition. He had spent his life feeling overlooked—until the most important man to ever walk his streets called him by name.
In many ways, that’s how this mission trip has felt. Not just about preaching or teaching, but about seeing people. Fellowshiping. Speaking their names.
Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is the same gift Jesus gave Zacchaeus—the simple but powerful reminder:
“I see you. I know you. You are not forgotten. And I know your name!”
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