Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree

Come and see what happens when a very short man climbs a very tall tree just to catch one look at Jesus. It is a gentle story about how Jesus knows your name, loves you exactly as you are, and can make any heart brand-new.

In a busy town called Jericho lived a little man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector — a boss over the people who collected taxes — and he was rich, but he had not always been kind or fair to the people around him. One day he heard wonderful news — Jesus was coming! His heart began to thump with hope, and he wanted so much to see Him. But Zacchaeus was very short, and a great big crowd stood all around; he stood on his tiptoes and stretched up tall, yet all he could see were backs and shoulders and elbows.

So Zacchaeus did not give up. He hurried along the road, his little feet pattering as fast as they could go. Up ahead he spotted a tall sycamore tree with strong, friendly branches reaching wide. Zacchaeus grabbed hold, pulled himself up, and climbed higher and higher and higher. Now he could see far down the road, and he waited there with a happy, fluttering heart.

Soon Jesus came walking down that very same road. When He reached the sycamore tree, Jesus stopped and looked up. “Zacchaeus,” He said with a warm and gentle smile, “come down. I am coming to your house today.” Zacchaeus could hardly believe his ears — Jesus knew his name, and Jesus wanted to visit him!

Zacchaeus scrambled down from the tree as quickly as he could, beaming from ear to ear. He gave Jesus the happiest welcome of his whole life. Then Zacchaeus made a beautiful promise. “I will give half of all I have to those who are poor,” he said, “and if I have ever cheated anyone, I will pay it back four times as much.” His heart felt lighter and kinder than it had ever felt before.

Jesus looked at Zacchaeus with so much love. “Today,” He said warmly, “salvation has come to this house — today Zacchaeus is found and safe with God!” For Jesus had given Zacchaeus a brand-new heart, gentle and good and true. “I came to look for the ones who are lost,” said Jesus, “and to bring them home to God.” And Jesus loves every single one of us, just the way He loved Zacchaeus — always, always.

Thank You, God, for loving everyone, big and small. Thank You for knowing my name and for making my heart kind and new, just like You did for Zacchaeus.