It was a sunny day in the city of Jericho. Many people were on the streets. Everyone wanted to see Jesus, because they had heard that he could do wonderful things. In this city lived a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus worked as a tax collector. This meant that he collected money from the people. Many did not like him because he often took more money than he should.
Zacchaeus was very curious to know who this Jesus was. But there was a problem: Zacchaeus was not very tall. As he pushed through the crowd, he could not see Jesus. But Zacchaeus had an idea! He discovered a large tree on the side of the road. He quickly climbed up and hid between the branches. From up there he could see everything well.
Then Jesus came along the street. Many people followed him. When he arrived under the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly! Today I want to come to your home.”
Zacchaeus was amazed and happy at the same time. He quickly climbed down from the tree and led Jesus to his house. Some people murmured, “Why does Jesus go to a man like Zacchaeus? He is a sinner!” But Jesus knew what he was doing.
Zacchaeus was so happy to see Jesus that he said, “Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor. If I’ve ever cheated on someone, I’ll give them back four times as much.” Zacchaeus’ heart had changed because Jesus had come to him.
Jesus smiled and said, “Something wonderful has happened today. Zacchaeus’ heart has opened, and he now belongs to God.”
Message of history
God loves all of us, no matter who we are, and He is pleased when we open our hearts to Him.
Bible passage
The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus is found in Luke 19:1-10:
“And he went into Jericho and went through it. And behold, there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief publican, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was, and could not because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. Then he ran ahead and climbed up a mulberry tree to see him; because that’s where he was supposed to get through. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stop at your house.” And he quickly descended and received him with joy. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has come to a sinful man.” Zacchaeus went and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have deceived anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today this house has come to pass, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
