Journey to the Open Tomb: One Last Trip Through Jericho

In the ancient city of Jericho lived two men, from two different stations of life, with two different problems and one basic need. They both needed Jesus. They were running out of opportunities to see Him. In fact they couldn’t see Him at all.

The first man couldn’t see Jesus because he was blind. There was nothing wrong with his hearing. He heard the pandemonium as Jesus entered Jericho. What was the noise all about? “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” There was nothing wrong with his voice. He began to desperately call out, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” The other onlookers tried to quieten him but he called out even louder for mercy. Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?.”

“Lord, that I may receive my sight.” And he did.

Zaccheus was of small stature, therefore he couldn’t see Jesus because of the crowd. He was a wealthy man, but not well liked. Jesus was coming through town as He had before, and this time Zaccheus would climb a tree if he had to. He would do what he needed to do to see Jesus. He may not have expected that Jesus would notice him. Jesus did notice him and called him by name, “Zaccheus, hurry up and come down. I am going to your house.” And at Zaccheus’s house, Jesus said, ”This day is salvation come to your house.”

This was the last time Jesus passed through Jericho. I think about that last journey through Jericho. Many people with needs were in the crowd that day. These desperate men did not know it was their last chance, but it was. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to fulfill the plan of the ages. He was destined for the crucifixion in just a few days and would not pass that way again.

When Jesus passes by, don’t take it for granted. Call out to Him. He has not lost His touch, nor surrendered His power. He still changes lives.

The Zaccheus Tree, Jericho