Climb Higher

Climb Higher: When You Can’t See Jesus, Don’t Settle

There’s a story in Luke 19 that many of us learned early—Zacchaeus, the “wee little man.” It’s almost funny how labels stick. But the real point of the story isn’t his height. It’s his hunger.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus—but he couldn’t. The crowd blocked his view, and his own limitations made it worse. And right there, he had a choice: settle or climb.
Most people would’ve settled. Zacchaeus didn’t.
Sometimes Jesus Feels “Irritating”
Not because He’s wrong—because He’s not controllable.

Jesus doesn’t always do things the way we want. He rarely lays out the entire plan. He often leads us step by step, and that can frustrate us when we want clarity now.
But there’s something important about that:
following Jesus isn’t about having control—it’s about having trust.

The “Crowd” That Blocks Your View
In Luke 19, the crowd is literal. In our lives, the crowd is usually mental and emotional:

• responsibilities
• stress
• disappointment
• shame
• routines that keep you numb
• comparison
• “this is just how I am” thinking

At ground level, everything feels loud. And when life is loud, it’s easy to lose sight of Jesus—even if you still believe in Him.
That’s why Zacchaeus is so relatable:
He didn’t stop wanting Jesus, he just couldn’t see Him from where he was.

The Turning Point: He Ran Ahead and Climbed
The Bible says Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree.
That’s not casual faith. That’s intentional pursuit.
Here’s the personal application:
If you can’t see Jesus from where you are, you don’t need new information—you need a new position.

Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t that God moved. It’s that you did.

Jesus Stops for Hunger
Zacchaeus climbed for a glimpse, but Jesus gave him more than a view—Jesus stopped, looked up, called him by name, and said:
“I must stay at your house today.”
This is one of the most hopeful truths in the whole story:
Jesus responds to hunger.
Not perfection. Not performance. Hunger.
And notice this:
Zacchaeus didn’t get changed when people approved of him.
He got changed when Jesus encountered him.

What “Climbing Higher” Looks Like for You
Zacchaeus couldn’t change his height, but he could change his level.
That’s the invitation for you too.

Climbing higher means refusing to let limitations become excuses.
It means deciding, “I’m not staying stuck down here.”

Here are a few ways that plays out in real life:
1) Climb higher than your feelings
Fervency isn’t a feeling you wait for—it’s a decision you make.
Romans 12:11 (NKJV) says:
“Be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
Feelings are real—but they’re not your leader.

2) Climb higher than your routine
Sometimes what you call “normal life” is actually spiritual drift.
Holy hunger breaks routine. It says, “I need God more than I need comfort.”

3) Climb higher than your excuses
“This is just who I am” can become a subtle agreement with what God wants to change.
Zacchaeus could’ve said, “I’m too short.” Instead he said, “I’ll climb.”

4) Climb higher through simple pursuit
Not complicated. Just consistent:

• prayer
• worship
• the Word
• obedience

Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV):
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

A Question to Sit With
Where have you been trying to see Jesus… but staying at ground level?
Maybe you want peace, but you’re still living rushed.
Maybe you want freedom, but you keep feeding the same habits.
Maybe you want direction, but you won’t slow down long enough to pray.
Maybe you want revival, but you’ve settled into routine.

Zacchaeus shows us another way:
If you can’t see Him—climb.
Because when you move toward Jesus, you’ll find this is still true:
He stops for the hungry.
He calls names.
He comes close.
And He changes lives.

Prayer
Jesus, I don’t want to settle for a distant view of You. If the crowd has been blocking my sight, help me climb higher. Give me holy hunger again. Make me fervent in spirit. Teach me to pursue You even when I don’t feel it. I want You—not just information about You. Come close to my life, my home, my heart, and change me. In Jesus’ name, amen.