HONES T Y*
is choosing to be truthful in
whatever you say and do.
Bible Reading: Luke 19:1-10
MEMORY VERSE | “An honest person has respect for the Lord.”
Proverbs 14:2a (NIrV)
week
JESUS AND ZACCHAEUS
3
For many centuries, the Roman Empire had
ruled over the Jews. Caesar—the ruler of the
Roman Empire—always wanted more taxes from
the Jews. But he didn’t send Romans to round
up the money. No, Caesar used Jews to collect
taxes from their own people! One of the tax
collectors was a man named Zacchaeus, who
lived in the city of Jericho. Because of the way
he ran his business, nobody liked him.
As Zacchaeus headed out each morning to make his rounds, the
same little boy waited to taunt him two blocks away.
“Zacchaeus, you’re so short you have to look up to a grasshopper!” the child
sang in a teasing tone.
“Silence, kid!” Zacchaeus would shout and stretch his neck to seem taller. He
had always been mocked for his short stature, but it was even worse for a child
not much shorter than he was to point it out!
Zacchaeus would soon settle into his seat at the tax collector’s table. The
glares and ugly words from passersby showed how much people disliked
him. But Zacchaeus had learned to shrug it off years ago. Instead, he got his
revenge in a different—more profitable—way.
See, Zacchaeus had to pay some of the money he collected to the Roman
government. But if he told people they owed more than they really did, he
could keep the extra!
1
“You owe three gold coins,” he would tell a gruff Jewish fisherman or the local
bread maker.
“But . . . that’s all I make in a whole month!” the men would protest.
Zacchaeus didn’t care. He knew the men only owed one gold coin. But instead
of giving them a break, Zacchaeus would snatch the money and sneer, “I guess
you’ll have to work a little harder, won’t you?”
Over the years, Zacchaeus grew quite wealthy. But he didn’t make any friends. In
fact, his neighbors often talked about him, and today was no different. On his way
into town, Zacchaeus overheard a small group of people huddled on the corner.
“He used our money to build that big house while we live in huts!”
“And he stuffs his belly with delicacies while we eat beans!”
“Seems the more he eats, the shorter he gets!”
Everyone laughed. But as Zacchaeus came closer, they all turned away.
Zacchaeus would snatch the
money and sneer.
Usually, it bothered Zacchaeus. But today his mind was full of the news he had
just received. Jesus is really coming—right now—to Jericho! His eyes were wide
with excitement and disbelief as he repeated the information to himself.
Zacchaeus had heard the stories about this great Teacher and Healer. He knew
how Jesus had healed a blind man and cured leprosy. Zacchaeus was fascinated
by Jesus and compelled to see Him. But there was just one catch: Jesus was sure
to draw a large crowd and Zacchaeus was the shortest person in every crowd.
How could he even get close enough to see?
Halting, Zacchaeus overheard someone on the street saying, “He’s coming right
this way into town . . .” Zacchaeus turned in a circle and examined the side of the
road. A tall, sturdy sycamore fig tree grew nearby.
Leaping, Zacchaeus caught a low branch and hauled himself up. With only a few
mishaps, he scrambled up and out onto a branch overhanging the road.
2
Moments later, a crowd began pouring down the street. Zacchaeus strained
to see. There, in the center of the crowd, was a Man with kind eyes. Someone
he knew he could trust. It must be Jesus!
Jesus slowed as the crowd pressed in. When He was right beneath the
sycamore, Jesus looked up! Zacchaeus could barely breathe as Jesus stared
directly at him.
“Zacchaeus!” Jesus called out
How does He know my name? Zacchaeus’ mind raced.
“Come down right away. I must stay at your house today,” Jesus said matterof-factly.
Zacchaeus could hear a murmur ripple through the crowd. But he didn’t hesitate.
He scrambled down the tree, half jumping, half falling from the lowest branch.
How does He know my name?
Zacchaeus’ mind raced.
“Yes, Lord. Just follow me!” As Zacchaeus began to lead the way, he could
hear his neighbors mumbling behind him.
“Jesus is going to stay with that man?”
“Hasn’t anyone told Jesus what Zacchaeus is like?!”
But Zacchaeus ran home as fast as he could to prepare a meal for Jesus and His
friends. As he bustled about, the thought of all the people he’d cheated weighed
heavily on him. Jesus hadn’t spoken a word, but Zacchaeus knew he had to make
things right.
“Look, Lord! I’m going to give half of everything that I own to the poor,” he
offered. Somehow, though, Zacchaeus knew this wasn’t enough to set things
right. So he added, “and if I’ve cheated anyone, I’m going to pay them back four
times the amount.”
Jesus smiled at Zacchaeus. “Today, salvation has come to this house. I have
come to find and save everyone who is lost.”
3
That very day, Zacchaeus gathered up his riches and went out into the street.
At his first stop, the fisherman wasn’t happy to see Zacchaeus at his front door.
“What do you want? Haven’t you robbed me enough?” the fisherman barked.
“No, no! I want to make it right. You only owed me one gold coin, so here are
eight coins. That’s four times what I overcharged you!” Zacchaeus held out his
hands with eight gold coins shimmering in the sun.
At first, the fisherman could only gape. After a long moment, he smiled.
“Thank you . . . thank you very much. I guess Jesus really does change lives!”
Zacchaeus continued to repay every single person four times what he had
taken from them. And from then on, he did what he could to regain the trust of
the people of Jericho.
Talk About It
KID’S CORNER
When you decide to be honest, you build trust with others. Have
you ever broken someone’s trust? How did that feel? What did you
do to regain their trust?
PARENT’S CORNER
Together with your child, discuss the
importance of being able to trust them. Talk
about ways your child can build your trust and
what good can come from being able to trust
your child.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan.
All rights reserved. © 2013 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.