Source Channel · retold from Luke 19:1–10
Jericho. Jesus is passing through the city, and many people are on the move. Among them is a man who wants very much to see who this Jesus is.
A Man Who Cannot See
The man's name is Zacchaeus. He is the chief among the tax collectors, and he is rich. He wants to see Jesus, but he cannot get through the crowd, because he is small of stature.
So he runs on ahead. He climbs up into a sycomore tree, because Jesus is to pass that way.
A Look Upward
Jesus comes to the place. He looks up and calls Zacchaeus by his name.
“Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”
– Luke 19:5
Zacchaeus hurries down. He receives Jesus joyfully.
Murmuring in the Crowd
Everyone sees it, and they murmur. They say he has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.
But Zacchaeus stands before Jesus. He will give half of his goods to the poor. And if he has taken anything from anyone by false accusation, he will restore it fourfold.
“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”
– Luke 19:9
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
– Luke 19:10
What This Has to Do with You Today
Zacchaeus stands on the edge and cannot get through. Jesus comes to exactly that spot, looks up, and calls him by name. Maybe you feel overlooked in a similar way right now, and this story tells of one who seeks.
Never Alone Guide: When you seek peace →
Bible quotes: King James Version (public domain). This retelling stays with the Bible text and adds no events. Photos: Unsplash.
