Zacchaeus
Jesus comes to Jericho, a big city where many people come to see him. He goes through the city and talks to many people.
Zacchaeus lives in Jericho too. People don’t like him because they have to give money to him. But when Jesus comes to Jericho, Zacchaeus wants to see him too. However, he is short and cannot see over all the people.
So Zacchaeus runs ahead and climbs a fig tree to see Jesus.
When Jesus comes to the tree, he stops and laughs.
“Hello, Zacchaeus,” he says. “Climb down immediately. I have to stay at your house.”
Zacchaeus is surprised and happy. He climbs down, takes Jesus to his home, and prepares a great lunch for Jesus and his friends.
But the people in Jericho are not happy.
“How can he eat with Zacchaeus? Doesn’t Jesus know that he is a bad man? He takes our money. He is really bad.”
But during the meal, Zacchaeus stands up and says,
“Look, Lord. Here and now I give half of everything that I have to the poor. And I will give four times as much to everyone I cheated.”
“Very well, Zacchaeus. I am really happy that you want to be good because I am here to save those who are lost,” Jesus says.
Biblical vocabulary. Here you can learn some words from the original text.
sinner – person who does bad things.
taxes – money you have to pay to the king.
Wealthy – a wealthy person has a lot of money.
Possessions – the things you have.
Salvation – the fact that someone is saved
Tax collector – the person who takes the money from people and gives it to the king
Complete the sentences with the words from Biblical Vocabulary:
- A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief ________________ and was _________________.
- How can Jesus eat with a ____________________?
- Today _________________________ has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
- Here and now I give half of my _________________ to the poor.
- Zacchaeus collects _________________ for the Romans.
Do you understand the story? Are the sentences True or False:
- Zacchaeus sees Jesus by chance.
- Zacchaeus is not very tall.
- Jesus doesn’t like Zacchaeus.
- Jesus eats with Zacchaeus.
- They eat in a pub.
- Some people think that Jesus should not eat with Zacchaeus.
- Zacchaeus does some good things in the end.
- Zacchaeus gives his money to the poor.
- Zacchaeus gives his money to Jesus.
- Zacchaeus is happy.
Solution
1. tax collector, wealthy 2. sinner 3. Salvation 4. Possessions 5. taxes
1. false 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. False 6. True 7. True 8. True 9. False 10. True
Thank you God for leading me.
