The Little Man in the Tree
Luke 19:2-10

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector who lived in Jericho. He was very rich because he had taken lots of money from people unfairly.

One day Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming to Jericho. Zaccheus wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was so short, he could not see above the crowd. Then Zacchaeus had a great idea. He would climb a tree! Then he could see Jesus.

When Jesus walked by the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down. I need to stay at your house."

Zacchaeus was very surprised! He could not believe someone good like Jesus would want to visit with him. Many of the people in the crowd were surprised, too. They asked, "Why is Jesus making friends with a man who cheats people out of their money?"

But Jesus helped to change Zacchaeus' heart. Zacchaeus said, "I will return the money I have taken unfairly, and will give to the poor."

Why was Jesus nice to a terrible sinner like Zacchaeus? Because he loved Zacchaeus and wanted to help him. In the same way, Jesus wants us to be kind to everyone around us.

Can you find your way through the tree? Start from Zacchaeus, and try to get down to the ground.