Up a Sycamore Tree

The Story

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in Jericho, and he was rich. Tax collectors worked for the Roman occupiers and often charged extra to fill their own pockets. People saw them as traitors and thieves. Zacchaeus was probably the most hated man in town.

When Jesus came through Jericho, crowds lined the road. Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was short, and no one was going to make room for him.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road. A wealthy, important man, up a tree like a little boy.

When Jesus reached that spot, He stopped, looked up, and called him by name. “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”

Zacchaeus scrambled down and welcomed Him joyfully. But the crowd grumbled. “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

Something happened to Zacchaeus at that dinner. He stood up and said, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

Jesus said, “This day is salvation come to this house… For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Reflection