The boy loved the way the girl smiled, laughed and looked at him.  She was smart and friendly to everyone, and more than anything, he wanted to ask her out.  So he asked his dad for advice who said, “If you ask her out it’s going to cost you.”  

“Cost me how?” the boy asked.  

The wise Dad answered, “Every relationship, romantic or otherwise has costs.  You always risk getting hurt, and you’re going to spend both money and time to build a bond.  But nothing of value has ever been free.”

With that advice in mind, remember the rich tax collector, Zacchaeus, who climbed up the tree to see Jesus?   Keep in mind that wealthy old Zach was very smart and you can bet money – yes bet money – that he had counted the cost before climbing into that tree.

As Jesus and the crowd approached the tree, I’ll bet fingers started pointing from a distance.  I’ll bet heads turned away from Jesus to stare into that tree.  And I’ll bet my money that nasty words flew in Zach’s direction.  

Don’t think for even a second that Zacchaeus didn’t know what it was going to cost him to see Jesus.  His reputation.  His pride and dignity.  He was already hated for colluding with the Roman military, but now he’d be despised even more.  Can you feel the gulp in his throat as he made the decision to climb that tree!

So now we are faced with our question for the day!   What time price, what time cost are you willing to pay to see Jesus in your life?  We are not talking about money here.  Simply, what time commitment do you want to give to have a great relationship with your God?  

Remember that nothing of value is ever free.  Yet Jesus our Lord, freely gave up his life, just so he could spend eternal life with you and me!