Routes of Administration

Recognize these abbreviations? IM, IV, PO, PR, SC, SL. Or maybe these terms? Topical, transdermal, intrathecal, intranasal, and oral inhalation. Chances are you’re employed in healthcare. For those who aren’t, these represent routes of administration. They’re various ways medicine can be introduced to the body to treat specific conditions. And depending on what’s being treated, the route selected is just as important as the medication itself. Why? The medicine, which has been proven to work, won’t work if it can’t reach its site of action.

Site of Action
In Luke 19:1-3, we find that Jesus was passing through Jericho.  “And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.”

Obviously Jesus’ reputation had preceded him. A large crowd had gathered in anticipation of His arrival. Zaccheus was one among them trying to see who Jesus was. He was desirous to see the Living Word, this Jesus he had heard so much about.

But he had a problem. Two in fact. One was the large crowd who also wanted to be in the vicinity of Jesus. And his other problem…well, in order to see Jesus, you have to have the capacity to SEE Jesus. So although he had the physical sense of sight, he also had the physical limitation of height. He was short. So, under normal circumstances, Jesus would have passed by without him catching a glance. He wouldn’t see Jesus and Jesus wouldn’t see him.

It’s like ciprofloxacin given otically to treat pneumonia. Right drug choice, but via that route it won’t reach the lungs, its designated site of action. Likewise, if Zaccheus had remained in his present location, he would have missed the Solution to his life on that route.

But he wasn’t satisfied to let those two things remain hindrances, stumbling blocks, or excuses. He didn’t just stand around saying,

• “Woe is me. I’m too small, too short, or too little to see Jesus. If only I was taller, my life would be different.”

• “Maybe I wasn’t meant to have a personal encounter with Jesus.”

• “Hopefully, He’ll take the path closest to my current location.”

No, Zaccheus didn’t settle for such chance encounters. He acted in faith to change his situation to get a better view of Jesus.

Speed of Delivery
“So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.” – Luke 19:4 (emphasis added)

Routes of administration also determine the speed at which a medicine reaches its site of action. IV, IM, and SC routes generally work faster than PO, topical, or transdermal routes.

Vs 4 tells us Zaccheus ran on ahead. Not walked. Not casually strolled. RAN. There was a sense of urgency in his stride. An intense effort exerted. He didn’t have 6 hours to wait for the transdermal route to kick in. He had an IV-sense-of-urgency to get in the vicinity of Jesus before he missed his opportunity.

Seeking Jesus Takes Effort

“So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.” – Luke 19:4 (emphasis added)

Seeking Jesus may require abandoning our comfort zones and inconveniencing ourselves. He, a short man, climbed a sycamore tree. That’s out of normal character for a professional adult. Children climb trees. Not grown men. He became “undignified” for the opportunity to see Jesus. What others thought of him no longer mattered. How society felt about him was irrelevant. He took unconventional measures to get into Jesus’ presence.

Which begs the question. Is Jesus that high of a priority to me?  We may not have to physically climb a tree to see Jesus, but our effort may look like turning off the TV earlier. Or shutting down social media more often. Or waking up earlier. Or scheduling “time with Jesus” appointments in our calendars.

Seeking Jesus Takes Preparation

Zaccheus ran ahead and climbed into the tree. Why? Because Jesus was about to pass that way. He planned ahead. He took deliberate actions, mapped out the specific route, and arrived early for his appointment with the Savior.

Given my current circumstances and responsibilities, how does my schedule reflect Jesus’ priority level in my life? High? Low? Non-existent? Fitted in if there’s time left over? How can I rearrange my schedule to ensure I don’t miss Jesus? [Hint: You always have time to do what’s first…so make Him first on your to-do list.]

Seeking Jesus Pays Off

When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” – Luke 19:7-8

When preparations are made and our efforts are exerted to prioritize Jesus, He rewards us with His presence. It attracts Jesus’ attention. He takes notice of the faith that gets demonstrated in our feet (our actions). That kind of faith indicates we take Him seriously. So, He invites us to more of Him. Notice, not only did Jesus see him, He called him by name and invited Himself to Zaccheus’ house…that day. No delay.

Never the Same

Zaccheus had no apprehensions. The Bible says, “And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.” Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” – Luke 19:6,8-10

 We cannot encounter Jesus and remain the same. A habitual taker became a generous giver. A defrauder became a restorer. The high status tax collector learned humility in the presence of Jesus. In addition to his personal encounter with the Lord, he received salvation, a complete life change, and identification with Christ as a son of Abraham. But most importantly, Zaccheus got to experience the purpose for which Jesus came…to seek and to save that which was lost.

So while Zaccheus was seeking to see Jesus, Jesus was seeking to save him. The same is true today. Don’t miss your opportunity to encounter the Savior who knows your location, knows your name, and specifically came to seek out a personal relationship with you.