Shema “Tree of Life” Living Series #8

A Sycamore Tree of Life

Then the king  (Solomon) made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the foothills. (1 Kings 10:27)

So he (Zacchaeus) ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way. (Luke 19:4)

I received a copy of Oswald Chamber’s (We fondly refer to him as OC in our family.) famous devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest when I was thirteen years-old. Though I read it faithfully each day, to be honest, there were many days the reading was just over my head. In part, where I was spiritually to really understand the truth being presented  was real but also, the vocabulary that OC used was just different with his use of the old-English words in his way of writing. (Yes, this was a Classic Edition, many years before the days of the  revised  translations available today.)

One of those words that was different for me at 13 was “drudgery.” I believe I could have gotten close to what it means but it was not a word I used in my daily conversations at home, school, church, etc. In the February 19 entry OC writes, “Drudgery—that hard, dull, seemingly unimportant work that no one wants to do—is one of the finest tests of character there is.” Chambers refers to drudgery as the day-to-day, less inspiring, monotonous days of life. Chambers posited  we were made for this everyday drudgery-lifestyle.

This sobering truth connects well to the discussion of the tree of life, the sycamore tree. In many ways it was a regular, unimportant, common, and plentiful tree as part of the Jewish landscape during Jesus’ day. In short, it was a ‘tree of drudgery.’

For instance, though fruit-bearing the fruit was not as delectable or desired as that of the fig tree, palm tree, or grapevine. Thus, it was most often a fruit of the lower socio-economic sector of the population. Moreover, the sycamore tree could not just grow anywhere. It was sensitive to the climate and needed to be planted and grow in the “low country.” In the opening passage to this article from 1 Kings 10, a description of King Solomon’s wealth is being shared. To help describe the copious amount of cedar he had accumulated, it was compared to the numerous sycamore trees which were positioned “in the foothills” or the “lowlands.”  The abundant amount of trees may help us to understand why there those like the prophet Amos whose vocation, before Yahweh’s call to be His spokesperson, was a shepherd “who also took care of sycamore trees.” (Amos 7:14) Finally, the tree was desirable and used or its wood. No, it was of the cedar quality, but again, a source of building material that the more common people would choose and utilize.

The most familiar moment in Scripture that features a sycamore tree is from the popular children’s story, Zacchaeus, found In Luke 19. The story highlights another feature common to the sycamore tree. As we know, Zacchaeus was not tall in stature. Hearing Jesus was entering Jericho Zacchaeus wanted to get a glimpse of this famed Rabbi, “but being a short man he could not see over the crowd.” Well, Zacchaeus may have been short but it appears he was mentally resourceful as his great curiosity to get a look of Jesus caused him to run ahead of the crowd, and to climb the sycamore tree located near the path that Jesus was traveling  in order to get high enough to see Jesus. (v. 4)  

As the wonderful story continues, Jesus would enter the home of a hated, traitor, a Jewish who had chosen the vocational path of being employed by the Roman government as a tax-collector. Yet, in Jesus going to his house, the narrative reaches its apex of  how Zacchaeus reveals the heart-belief and transformation to return monies to those he cheated as well as generously give to the poor. Jesus reveals this outward radical change indicated Zacchaeus’  internal moment of faith and salvation.

Yet, now we turn back to the sycamore tree. Zacchaeus, though short of stature, could still manage to get “a leg-up” to mount the tree because a characteristic of the sycamore tree was its low-hanging branches. I am sure this made it fun for the children to climb, more easier for the caretakers of the trees to gather its fruit, but now, it functioned as a step-ladder for Zacchaeus’ need to have not only his desire met but far more than what he expected when Jesus spotted the grown man in the tree and went to his home.

Oh, the need for sycamore trees of life in our world, families, churches, and workplaces. The need is great for common, “drudgery” type, everyday followers of Christ Jesus. Disciples who will bear their fruit in the humble “low country" of society. Whose very being—like the sycamore tree’s wood—whose life exists and is available as an approachable choice as God’s instrument for everyday living among everyday people.

In closing, to be a sycamore tree of life with low hanging branches. To be lives that others who have experienced the “short” of life and need that “leg-up” can thus, as it were, climb up on us in order to see Jesus. Who then, and more importantly, has been afforded the opportunity for Jesus to see, call them by name, converse in their home, and transform their heart. Yes, the sycamore tree was not mentioned by Jesus nor did it go to Zacchaeus’ house…but oh, what a gamechanger it was!  Interesting, how a the rich Zacchaeus needed the common, everyday tree of drudgery as a way to meet and know true, eternal riches!

Our Father, empower us to allow You to employ us in the lowlands and humble moments of life. That we, not the most glamorous of trees, will be ready in the drudgery of life to share our “fruit” and “wood” to nourish and build the lives of those around us for eternity and Your glory. Employ our low-hanging branches so others can have a moment to be helped to not only have their curiosity answered but also exceeded by Your voice and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.