Zacchaeus in the Tree
Jesus sees people others don't notice.
Stories of Jesus · Luke 19:2–6
Jesus sees people others don't notice.
Have you ever felt like you were left out? Like no one noticed you were there? Today we meet a man who felt that way a lot. Then Jesus came to town and everything changed.
Zacchaeus is a tax collector. The people in town don't trust him very much. He doesn't have many friends.
But Zacchaeus hears that Jesus is coming through Jericho! He wants to see Him.
There is just one problem. Zacchaeus is very short. The street is crowded with tall people. No matter where he stands, he can't see a thing.
He has an idea.
Zacchaeus runs ahead. He finds a big sycamore tree with low branches. He climbs it! Up, up, up. Hanging there in the branches like a small boy.
The crowd comes by below. There, in the middle, is Jesus.
Jesus stops.
He looks up. Right at Zacchaeus.
'Zacchaeus!' Jesus says. 'Come down right away! I'm going to have dinner at your house today!'
Can you look surprised? That was Zacchaeus! He couldn't believe it.
Jesus saw him. In the tree. Hiding. Lonely. Hoping.
And Jesus called him by name.
Prayer
Let's pray. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you that you see me.
Even when I feel small
or left out.
We love you!
Amen.
Listen to this devotional with audio narration and illustrations in the Seedling: Bible Stories app — short devotionals for Christian families with children ages 2–5.