To seek after something implies two things: you know what you’re seeking, and you have the ability to search in hope of finding it. God’s people are called to seek him wholeheartedly (Jer. 29:13). However, one cannot seek after the unknown. One may have the ability to seek after God, but without truly knowing him, the search is aimless, bearing no results (cf. Hos. 4:6; 5:3–6; 6:6). Yet, those who know God will desperately seek after him (Ps. 63:1) as a natural result of understanding. What occurs when one knows what to seek after, yet does not have the ability to find it?
As Jesus approached Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, a blind man named Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was walking by (Lk. 18:35–37). He cried out to be saved by the “Son of David,” recognizing both his need for restoration and that Jesus is the eternal Davidic king (v. 38; cf. 2 Sam. 7:12–16). The crowd tried to silence him, but he persistently cried out in desperation, pleading for mercy from the king (v. 39). Hearing the “little one” (Lk. 17:2) crying out for help, Jesus stopped, commanded him to be brought to Jesus (since he was unable to find Jesus on his own), and gave him sight (vv. 40–42). What was the reason that Jesus decided to heal his blindness? His faith (v. 42). As a natural outpouring of this miracle, Bartimaeus followed Jesus with great joy, glorifying God and living as a walking testimony to Jesus’s mercy and power (v. 43).
Immediately following this, Luke describes the moment that Jesus entered Jericho (Lk. 19:1–10). He introduces a man named Zacchaeus, a rich man who abused his power as the chief tax collector to steal money from those he collected from (v. 2). Despite his previous life as one who dishonestly gained, he desired to seek after Jesus. However, he, like Bartimaeus, was unable to see Jesus. He was not blind, though his ability to see Jesus was to the same degree as one who was blind, but rather he was too small in stature to see beyond the crowd (v. 3). Therefore, with Jesus about to approach and his opportunity to see Jesus swiftly fleeting, Zaccheus climbs a sycamore tree and finally sees him (v. 4). Though he was unable to see Jesus on his own, the sycamore tree allowed Zaccheus to be seen by Jesus. Jesus, seeing the “little one” (Lk 17:2) who made the great effort, stopped, called for Zacchaeus to come down with urgency, and opened the door for spiritual and social restoration through hospitality (vv. 5–9).
Both Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus present a type of person: one who has an understanding of God, yet needs help coming to the truth. The crowds around both Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus hindered them from coming to the King. Yet, Jesus, in a beautiful display of mercy that breaks down those social barriers and fulfills His purpose in seeking and saving them both (Lk. 19:10). The “Son of Man” knows those who seek him and has the ability to find them, a mission we are called to continue in (Jn. 20:21; Lk. 24:46–47).
Nate Kidwell
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.