Jesus and MeWhy Did a Little Man Climb a Tree to See Jesus?
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About this story
Join Jesus and his little friend for the story of Zacchaeus, the little man who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. A gentle Bible story for young children about how Jesus sees each of us, knows our name and loves to come close.
In one line: Jesus looks up and says, I am coming to your house.
Ask your child
If Jesus came to your house today, how would you welcome him?
A short prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for seeing me and knowing my name. I am so glad you want to be close to me. Amen.
Read the story
Have you ever climbed a tree to see someone? Come and see! Jesus and his little friend sat on a sunny hill. They had a story to share. Long ago, there was a busy town called Jericho. It had tall, swaying palm trees.
In Jericho lived a little man called Zacchaeus. Can you say Zacchaeus? Zak, kee, us! Zacchaeus was not very tall. He was shorter than almost everyone in town.
Zacchaeus had lots and lots of money. He collected tax money for the rulers. But sometimes he took too much. That was not fair, and people were sad. Nobody wanted to be his friend. Deep inside, Zacchaeus felt lonely and sad.
One day, there was big news in Jericho. Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! Everyone ran into the street, mums and dads and children too. They all wanted to see Jesus. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus too. He wanted to see him very, very much.
He hurried to the road. But oh no! The crowd was much too big. He stood on his tiptoes. Stretch, stretch, stretch! He still could not see. He tried to jump. Hop, hop, hop! All he saw were backs and shoulders.
Then Zacchaeus had an idea. He looked at a big sycamore tree. He ran ahead of the crowd, puffing and panting. Run, Zacchaeus, run! Up, up, up he climbed, past the branches, into the leafy top.
He sat on a strong branch and wiggled his toes. Now he could see everything! Here came the crowd, down the dusty road. And there was Jesus! Zacchaeus peeked through the leaves. Would Jesus even notice a little man like him?
Jesus walked closer, and closer, and closer. Then he stopped right under the tree. Jesus looked up. He looked right up into the green, rustling leaves. Jesus saw Zacchaeus hiding there. And Jesus knew his name!
Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down. Today I must stay at your house!” Did you hear that? Jesus wanted to come to Zacchaeus’s house! Zacchaeus climbed down as fast as he could. Down, down, down he came! He was so happy. He welcomed Jesus with a great big smile.
But some people in the crowd frowned. They grumbled and folded their arms crossly. “Jesus is visiting a man who does wrong things!” they said. Jesus did not walk away. Jesus loved Zacchaeus just the same.
At his house, Zacchaeus welcomed his very special guest. Come in, Jesus, come in! Being close to Jesus changed his heart. Zacchaeus wanted to be kind and fair. He stood up and said, “Lord, I will give half of my things to the poor! And if I took too much, I will give back four times more!” Four times more! That is a lot of giving back.
Jesus said that God’s rescue had come to his house that very day. Jesus said he came to look for lost people and save them. Zacchaeus was lost, but Jesus found him. Zacchaeus was not lonely anymore. Now Zacchaeus shared, and smiled, and made things right. What a happy, happy day!
Back on the sunny hill, the little girl smiled up at Jesus. What a story! Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in that tree. And Jesus sees you too! Say it with me: Jesus sees me, and Jesus loves me! One more time! Jesus sees me, and Jesus loves me! Can you give someone a big smile today, just like Zacchaeus did?
“When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. … For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”Luke 19:5-6, 10 (World English Bible)
