Story 80 of 100 · Based on Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus Climbs the Tree
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through the city. A man named Zacchaeus lived there, who was a chief tax collector and was very rich.
Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but there was a crowd and he was short. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree, so that he could see him when he passed that way.
When Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and said to him:
—Zacchaeus, come down at once, because I must stay at your house today.
Zacchaeus came down quickly and welcomed Jesus gladly.
All the people who saw it began to mutter.
—He has gone to be the guest of a sinner —they said.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord:
—Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times the amount.
—Today salvation has come to this house —Jesus said to him—. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, and Jesus looked at him and called him by name.
Let's talk: Zacchaeus made an effort to see Jesus. What can you do to come close to him?
Jesus looks at you with love and wants to be with you. Goodnight.