Read: Luke 19:1-10

While the Lord Jesus was walking through Jericho, there was one person who wanted to see him. This man was a chief tax collector. The tax collectors in those days were not liked by the people because they often stole money. We know that this tax collector, named Zacchaeus, was not an honest man. He had stolen and cheated money off his own people.

Now Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but there was a problem. He was a short man and so he couldn’t see between the people. But that didn’t stop him. He climbed up a tree, a sycamore tree. And there he, a short chief tax collector, sat in a tree watching for Jesus.

When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he commanded him to come down from the tree and to welcome Jesus into his home. Jesus didn’t see this man by accident. No, Jesus went to Zacchaeus on purpose. He even knew his name. Zacchaeus was a sinner and an outcast. From himself he would not have wanted Jesus, but Jesus chose to come to him, a lost sheep of Israel. Jesus wanted to come into his home and into his heart.

The people watching were angry when they heard Jesus telling Zacchaeus that he wanted to go to his home. They didn’t think Jesus should go to the home of a sinner. But Zacchaeus knew that he was a sinner and that he needed Jesus, and so he came down from the tree and admitted that he had stolen and cheated the people. Zacchaeus had now changed. By God’s grace he was sorry for his sins and so promised to give back to the people he had stolen from.

Jesus had called Zacchaeus’s name, and Zacchaeus had joyfully followed Jesus. Jesus also calls your name and commands you to follow him. No matter what sins you have done, Jesus still comes to you in love and forgiveness. And so, you too must ask God for his power to repent of your sins and to follow Jesus with your whole heart.

Reflection with your child:

Why did Jesus choose to go to the home of a tax collector?

Source: Sermon by Rev. S. ‘t Hart