An encounter with Jesus

Zacchaeus

A wealthy, hated tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus

Read the chapter: Luke 19

“And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

What they wanted

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, rich by cheating his own people, and despised for it. He was too short to see over the crowd, so he climbed a sycamore tree, wanting only a glimpse of Jesus passing through.

What Jesus did

Of all the people in the crowd, Jesus stops, looks up, and calls him by name: Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. He invites Himself to the home of the town's most hated man, and the crowd murmurs that Jesus has gone to be the guest of a sinner.

What changed

Zacchaeus stands and gives half his goods to the poor and repays fourfold anyone he has cheated. Jesus says, This day is salvation come to this house. The one everyone had written off is found, and his money finally starts flowing the right direction.