Scripture Reference: Luke 19
Jesus passed through and entered Jericho , there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector. He was very rich. We see Zacchaeus was a Tax collector, who was collecting tax from the Jews and gave them to the Romans, even though he was a Jew. He desired to see Jesus, but wasn’t able see because of the crowd. He was very short in his appearance. He climbed up a sycamore tree to see Him and when Jesus saw him, he said “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” He quickly came down and received Jesus joyfully. Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’
Lessons to learn from this story
- We see Jesus telling Zacchaeus,” I must stay at your house today” and Zacchaeus quickly responded to Him and received Him joyfully. When Jesus comes into our life, we cannot resist him indeed we submit to Him and become his children.
- Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. During those times, Tax collectors were hated and were regarded as sinners. They used to collect huge taxes from the people. We see a big transformation in the life of Zacchaeus after he met Jesus. His old identity of wicked tax collector was transformed into a new identity of being a child of God, were he was ready to give back the poor and the ones whom he cheated.
Fun Activity
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CZCAHASUE
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 