Stories From The New Testament: Zaccheus the Tax Collector
Once Jesus was passing through a town called Jericho. Many people were following Jesus. They had heard about the wonderful things Jesus had done. They all wanted to learn about God’s kingdom.
One man, whose name was Zaccheus, also wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So Zaccheus climbed a tree and waited for Jesus to come that way.
When Jesus got to the tree, He looked up and said, “Zaccheus, come down, I must stay at your house today.” And Zaccheus climbed down and gladly took Jesus to his home.
Many people didn’t like this. Zaccheus was a tax collector and many tax collectors were dishonest and took too much money from people. Nobody like tax collectors. The people didn’t think Jesus should be friendly with such sinners.
But Zaccheus said to Jesus, “I will give half my possessions to the poor, and anyone whom I have cheated, I will give them back 4 times as much as I took.” Jesus blessed Zaccheus, saying, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
And that is why God sent Jesus His Son, to help sinful people understand about God’s love.
(Adapted from Luke 19:1-10)