Leader guide cover art

Zacchaeus

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Play (Preschool)New TestamentSession 30
30

Zacchaeus

Scripture
Focus
Jesus loves us--always.
Faith Nurture Goals
  • Tell how Jesus’ love changed Zacchaeus.
  • Understand that Jesus loves us—even though we aren’t always good.
  • Thank Jesus for loving us even though we sometimes disappoint him.

Leader Reflection

Preparing to Tell God's Story

Of all the gospel writers, Luke is the one who tends to pay attention to details, and this story is a classic example. Zacchaeus is a tax collector. Most gospels might stop there, but Luke tells us he's the head honcho of tax collectors, he's rich, and he's short.

Good Jews didn't associate with tax collectors. They despised them for several good reasons: tax collectors worked for the Roman oppressors by essentially buying up contracts for tax collection and then skimming profits off the top. This made them ceremonially unclean, and, therefore, unfit to enter a synagogue or participate in the great temple festivals. In the pursuit of tax money they were brutal and selfish, squeezing every penny they could from the poor and demanding big profits from the rich.

In this story, a large crowd follows Jesus once again. This provides "cover" for the wellknown chief tax collector to get a look at this man who was becoming a sensation. But Zacchaeus couldn't see Jesus because he was so short. So, risking ridicule and even violence, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a look.

Was it mere curiosity? No, something about Jesus had struck a deep chord in Zacchaeus' heart. Perhaps he was profoundly unhappy and lonely. Perhaps he had heard that Jesus had talked to other tax collectors, and had even accepted dinner invitations to their homes. It must have been hard to endure such hatred and ridicule, no matter how rich Zacchaeus became.

So, as Jesus passes by, Zacchaeus sits perched in a tree. He doesn't dare do or say anything. Jesus stops right under that tree, looks up at Zacchaeus--- whose heart must have been pounding---and says something unimaginable. Jesus invites himself over to Zacchaeus's house for dinner---no, he demands it! "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (v. 5). As the crowd mutters about Jesus' bad behavior, Jesus and his disciples head off to Zacchaeus's house.

In the middle of the dinner, Zacchaeus stands up as if to offer a toast. Instead, he makes a vow: "Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount" (v. 8). It's interesting that Zacchaeus doesn't stop being a tax collector (somebody's got to do it, after all), but he commits himself to doing it honestly from now on.

Jesus honors him by declaring, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (vv. 9-10). In the face of rejection by his fellow Jews who put him outside the covenant, Zacchaeus is declared by Jesus to be one of them, a fellow heir of God's covenant with Abraham.

Notice that Zacchaeus's salvation involves two things: he believes in Jesus, and he does the right thing by turning away from his cheating practices. He commits himself to right belief and right living at the same time. Salvation is a change of heart and a change of life.

Wondering
  • Try to picture the scene in your mind: the looks on people’s faces, the tone of their words.

  • What was Zacchaeus feeling when Jesus stopped under that tree and looked up?

  • Why was it advantageous for the Romans to have Jews collect their taxes?

  • Why didn’t Zacchaeus give up tax collecting altogether?

Teaching
  • Young children don’t understand the concept of unconditional love—but they will someday. Telling them the story of Zacchaeus is a significant step in that process.

  • Don’t just tell the story, though. A better way to impress the concept on their eager minds is to show it! Use every opportunity to communicate your own love for the little ones you teach—even when their behavior pushes a few boundaries.

Steps

Step 1 Gathering for God's Story

  • music smart
  • picture smart
  • self smart

Welcome the children and gather them around you. If they’re especially active today, sing a few songs to get out the “wiggles.” “Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes” and “If You’re Happy” (CD tracks 1 and 2) are good for starters; follow with “God Made Me” (CD track 4) and remind the children how glad you are that God made each one of them. Let them know how much you love them and look forward to this time together each week.

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