“Zacchaeus was a wee little man/ And a wee little man was he. / He climbed up in a sycamore tree / For the Lord he wanted to see.”
If you grew up in Sunday school classes like I did, it’s likely that you sang this song surrounded by Cheerios and orange juice. For me, it was also the only thing I knew about Zacchaeus until I reached adulthood. Zacchaeus was short, he wanted to see Jesus, and he climbed a tree in order to see Him. End of story—Everyone grab your coloring pages and some crayons!
But reading Zacchaeus’s story now paints a different picture entirely. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, meaning he got rich off of everyone else’s money, which likely meant those people didn’t like him very much. He was an outcast, a loner. And just like everyone else in the town, he wanted to see Jesus. He wanted to find out more about this man people were talking about, this man who promised eternal life. So Zacchaeus climbed up a sycamore tree to be able to see, and when Jesus passed, He told Zacchaeus to come down because He was going to be staying at his house (Luke 19:5).
All the people in the town who overheard this were shocked. But Jesus, as He often does, was spending time with the people who were regularly looked over and cast aside. He was spending His time with the marginalized. After Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus in kindness, aligning Himself with the tax collector, Zaccheus became convicted of his sin and was then led to repent (Romans 2:4), declaring that he would give half of his possessions to the poor, and return extorted money four times over (Luke 19:8). In the eyes of everyone else, Zacchaeus was merely a rich, greedy man, but Jesus saw him as a man to invite into conversation, into community and relationship. Jesus told Zaccheus:
“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 the lost” (Luke 19:9–10).
Jesus came to earth to save the lost. He came for Zacchaeus. Jesus saw him up in the tree, and Jesus saw him when he came down. He saw Zacchaeus for who he truly was: a child of God, one of the very reasons He’d left a heavenly kingdom in order to bring the good news of salvation and His kingdom to us (Matthew 6:10).
From that day on, Zacchaeus chose not to serve the gods of money and wealth, but to serve the God who saved him from himself. His heart turned from a love of money to a love of Jesus and His message (Matthew 6:24)—all because Jesus saw him in the midst of his sinfulness and chose to love him anyway. Jesus does the same for us.
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44 thoughts on "Zacchaeus"
Lord, help me to see others through your eyes as precious children to welcome into relationship with you
I love that Jesus sees who we truly are and leads us into our true identity.
In times of chaos,confusion,and unrest…the words that Jesus instills in His children…I will never leave you nor forsake you…order,confidence and rest!❤️ Our Living Hope
:)
I’m sad for those who had shallow Sunday School experiences growing up…but I’m also. a little surprised by it.
I grew up hearing these amazing Bible Stories and of course as a child there were certain things that stuck!
However, I’ve been a Children’s minister for a long time now and I’ve listened in on lots of teachers teaching kids. They tell the whole story and even point to the gospel as they do. The kids may leave remembering the fun stuff but they heard it all and it is a part of the foundation they have been given to build on. Praise God for teachers who labor every week to teach all of God’s Truth…
They are making an eternal difference.
❤️ I agree! I don’t know if Sunday schools have gotten deeper since we I was a kid, but when I have helped out recently, each story is told in a “big God story” that all points back to Jesus.
Myself being short, I love the story of Zacchaeus. I’ve never climbed a sycamore or other tree to see, but have asked many a taller person to reach things in grocery stores.
That being said, I’m not convinced Zacchaeus was a crooked tax collector … IF I have cheated anyone … As a tax collector, he had to be good with numbers. After giving 1/2 to the poor and promising payback at 4 times the amount, he would have to have known he would run out of money pretty quickly if he knew or thought he had cheated very many people. To me, the IF reads like he plans to double check his numbers and set things right for any mistakes he finds.
Nadine Hall, thank for that insight. My mind was blown as well!
It is quite possible that while Jesus was at Zacchaeus’ house, He taught Zacchaeus the same things He taught the crowds in Matthew 6:19-24. I like to imagine the two conversing about it over the dinner table. Zacchaeus was also aware of what he was required to pay back by law, yet he chose to give back much more than that, as well as half of his possessions. When we give out of love for Jesus, rather than a sense of duty or obligation, how much more generously and joyfully we give! It becomes an honor.
Praying for you Kristen, as you grieve the end of your relationship.
HE chose to love me anyway. Forever grateful! I slept in! And it felt so good. So here it is almost noon. Of course I would’ve started with the WORD but had promised my son to run an errand with him this morning. I’m so thankful that it’s still pretty quiet in our neighborhood As I finish up my devotions outside.
Praying for all you ladies. CHURCHMOUSE, i’m done early this morning I did wake up and thought of Julia. Praying for her!! I miss my little kindergartners so much and I know she’s around that age.
I can’t help but reflect on the contrast between Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler…on one hand Zacchaeus is experiencing instant salvation and ready to give back what he has earned on the backs of others…and on the other hand, the rich young ruler who has followed all the laws, pretty much crossed all the Ts and yet finds salvation elusive because surrendering his riches was not an option for him.
Kristin praying for you, I am so sorry. Remember you are a child of God and He is with you.
What strikes me in so many of these stories, stories I’ve heard for as long as I can remember, is that Jesus saw each person, He knew each person. To know that personally and rest in that– that is faith, that is abiding, that is trusting. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and insights. Kristin, prayers for you.
Reading Leviticus makes me appreciate even more what Jesus accomplished on the cross. When we sin there is no need for offerings or priests but instead just honest, open, vulnerable communication
with God. Sometimes it’s tough following God, but I can’t help but think it would be more difficult if regular rituals were required. Thank God for his love.
Can you imagine? You just want to see what this, Jesus, is all about. You make a little extra effort and climb a tree to see him.
He stops, looks up and says, directly to you, ” Hey, Buffy, come on down. Today I’m need to be with you at your house.”
“What!?” I say almost falling out of the tree. “I’m not loved by anyone. Why me? You’ll be ripped apart verbally and maybe even physically by the people. Why am I so important? Oh, and by the way, how did you even know my name?”
Jesus! Wow, you know me by me and you have saved me from myself! Thank you, thank you, thank you…!
Tina! Wow, so beautifully said. I feel your passion. I know that passion.
Thank you!
For his community, Zacchaeus was in what we would call the 1% – he was rich off the backs of others. But Jesus saw him and loved him in his sin. As a result, when Zacchaeus reforms his ways, his whole community benefitted through the returned money he had illegally collected. This is an example of why it’s important to bring those in positions of influence and within our institutions into relationship with Christ, so that our communities are more just and our institutions perform the functions they are meant to in service to the common good. What a change in perspective to see the 1% as marginalized as well, and in need of the love of Jesus!
KRISTIN R: So glad you invited us into your painful breakup. I pray the Lord brings the very peace you are seeking as reminders of his love for you is most displayed in his words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Amen. Love this passage of scripture. ❤️
Praying foryou Kristin.
Ellen—spot on devotional!!!
SRT—thank you for including Leviticus in this reading. When the old and new testaments come together to have scripture interpret scripture it is powerful. Thank you for this !!!
I needed this reminder this morning. God chose to love us anyway! I am clinging to His love this morning, as my boyfriend of three years and I broke up this week. I know I don’t post often and none of you know me. But we are all of one body, and you ladies seem like some really great prayer warriors. So, if you think of it. I could really use prayer for peace, understanding, strength and a reminder of Gods love, which is so much greater than this love that I had. Thank you in advance. Blessings ♥️
Kristin, I’m so sorry that’s happened. It is such a hard thing to go through. I’m praying for God’s light and peace to be present with you as you move through your life without that relationship.
Praying for you, Kristin. May God surround you with His love and care and strengthen you to continue to walk worthy. Blessings.
I went through a break up this great Kristin so I feel your pain! God is close to the broken hearted, He truly proved that to me and I know He will do the same for you. May the Holy Spirit comfort you as only He can. Don’t count this as a loss, God obviously has something in store for you that is much better than what you want for yourself.
Kristin R I am so sorry for such a life changing experience to go through around the 4th of July. I am praying for your family and especially you. May God and the Holy Spirit comfort and help you through the tough times. I will pray for better tomorrows, peace, understanding, strength, and a reminder of God’s love and His goodness and kindness. He will never leave you!
I’m praying for you Kristin! Know that you are single, but not alone. Jesus is walking through this with you!
Praying for you!
As soon as I saw the title of Zacchaeus, I started singing the song I learned in my childhood about Zacchaeus. I also started doing the hand motions I learned. It is amazing how certain Bible stories are ingrained into to your memory. It was until today though that I realized how grateful Zacchaeus really was. Not only was he willing to pay back four times the amount he extorted from them but he was willing to give up half of what he own to the poor. This is a sharp contrast to the rich ruler of yesterday who didn’t know whether he wanted to give up any of his possessions. The way Ellen Taylor writes about Zacchaeus reminds me of another song, a contemporary Christian song, “Come to the Table” by Sidewalk Prophets.
Father, God help me to remember that all I need is You and only You. You will provide everything I need. Amen.
God, you are growing me. Thank you for the things that are happening. May You be glorified in every single one of them. I can see your hand going before and helping to provide in these events, timing, protection, care, help, thank you. All will be worth it if You are honored. Please Lord, shine out of me. Use these events to purify my heart and mind. May my life can be a witness to others in a positive way for You. Amen.
Amen! ♥️
Reading through Leviticus… wow. It just brings SUCH a contrast to the forgiveness and access to Christ we have, this side of the cross. I sin in any capacity and that sin is for me to bring directly to Christ, no priest, no ritual, nothing. Absolutely I need to make relational amends to any person I may have brought offense to, but just the enormous reminder of what Jesus’ sacrifice provided in terms of our accessibility to Him and how vastly different that was than anything understood up to that point in time… I’m so grateful that to deal with my sin issues I get to have constant, uninterrupted access to my savior Who wants there to be zero excuse or obstacle for me to get to Him. It’s unbelievably refreshing today.
Jesus forgive my busyness, fear,selfishness -all of the sin that keeps me from sharing your hope with others. Help me be prepared and open to seeing the opportunities every day that are right in front of !e.
♥️
Rachiel,
I responded to your comment on yesterday’s post. I hope you find it encouraging and know that you are not walking alone in your journey!
He wants us! Our whole hearts, undivided. He made a way for us, the unworthy, to be with Him, to be loved and called worthy. He called us family. In the Old Testament, He was making a way, and now Jesus is the final sacrifice, risen back to life, so we can know Him. He will never leave, and He sought you and me.
“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 the lost” (Luke 19:9–10).
Lord, please give me a humble heart, and help me to fear not but walk in your power, love, and self control. Thank you for filling me with you Spirit! Please renew me every day with wonder <3
Yes, thank you, Jesus! You chose to love me anyway!
I am so thankful that Jesus took the time, many years ago to reach out to me and not walk by, how humble I feel. And I am so thankful that He took my shyness and made me bold for Him.
Luke 19:1 “He entered Jericho and was passing through.” This is the verse that impacts me this morning. Jesus was passing through, moving on to his next destination. But a brief encounter with Zaccheus makes Him stay for dinner. Hmmm.
How often have I hurried by people, focused on my next thing to do, when I should have taken the time to really see those who crossed my path? Everyone has a story and there is usually more to it than meets the eye. Zacchaeus may have looked like a mere tax collector, a greedy little man, but he was really a lost soul ripe for salvation. God, help me to be flexible with my time and open to interruption so that I might take opportunity to share Your good news. (Who doesn’t need some good news these days?) Give me eyes to see and ears to hear and boldness to speak. Give me a willingness to change my passing through to a sitting down, all to Your glory. Amen.
Truth!
When you truly encounter Jesus, when your world is turned upside down, when you know what you now know, Oh My Goodness, when Jesus, gently comes alongside you and the tears flow, and you have no idea why, except that it is pure, pure, pure love of the One walking alongside and within you.., when you want to make things right, and leave the past behind, but use it as an experience to help others, when you realise the material things in life do not fill the emptiness you keep trying to fill, when, in your life you can see the But God.. moments, and blessing even in the storm, when, your heart cries for the lost, and your arms raise in praise, Oh My Days, when, Jesus, is your first first stop, even if it means climbing a sycamore tree to see.. to reach, to call out..
Then..
Then my friend.. right there, my sister, you know, without a shadow of doubt, you, YOU are a muuuuuccchhhh loved child of God.., whom He came to save, and for whom salvation was bought, and that your love for the Saviour Jesus, is absolutely real.. and filled with the hope that He came to give..
Amen..
Happy happy Friday my dears.. wrapped in love..❤
❤️
Amen ❤️
How precious Jesus is! This story may make you fall in love even more. As she said, Jesus reached out to the outcasts and the overlooked. We have a lot of outreaches at church, so there are opportunities to reach out in love. During this time many people are afraid right now. Some may be more willing to want to be prayed for or more willing to hear about your faith, or why you are able to have joy or not be in fear right now. The pastor was saying that we have hope and the answer to everything. The answer is Jesus!!! This doesn’t have to happen at a church outreach, there may be opportunities for any of us to tell someone about the reason for the hope you have.