Weekly Family Devotional: Meeting Jesus Changed Zacchaeus Forever (Lk. 19:1–10)
Read Luke 19:1–10
You could also read "The man who didn't have any friends (none)" from The Jesus Storybook Bible (pages 264–271), or "Story 37: Zacchaeus Looks for Jesus" from The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible (pages 218–223).
Kids Teaching Video
Student Ministry Teaching Video
Devotional
Do you want to hear the best story? It has all the elements that make a story great—greed, comedy, sadness, and redemption! It’s a story about when Jesus changed the life of one of the most despised, unpopular members of a town: the tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus. Now, Zack worked for the Roman government. It was common in those days for tax collectors to collect more taxes than they were supposed to and to keep the extra money for themselves. But Zack wasn't just any old tax collector. He was the chief tax collector—and he was very wealthy. So, Zacchaeus probably got his money from stealing. When you think of Zacchaeus, you should think of someone who was greedy and had no friends—because no one liked tax collectors! But there's something else you should know about Zack, too. Zach was short! Not only did everyone look down at him—because he was a greedy tax collector—but they also literally looked down at him—because he was, well, little!
One day, Zacchaeus heard some amazing news. Jesus was coming through town. Zach wanted to see Jesus. Now, not only did Zaccaheus want to see Jesus but so did everyone else in the town. The crowd That came to see Jesus was so large that Zach couldn’t see a thing. Then, he had an idea! He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree. Sitting on the branches, Zacchaeus had a great view of the street and of Jesus walking towards him. When Jesus reached Zacchaeus’s tree he looked up, right at Zacchaeus. What do you think happened next? Did Jesus scold Zacchaeus for stealing? Did he make him feel ashamed and sad for not having any friends? Listen to what God's word says, "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly" (Luke 19:5-6). Does that surprise you? No one else cared about Zacchaeus. They didn’t even like him. But Jesus knew his name. Even though Jesus knew Zach's sin, he also knew exactly what Zacchaeus really needed: a Savior. Just imagine how Zacchaeus must have felt when Jesus said he wanted to come over to his house. If you were Zacchaeus how would you feel?
Meeting Jesus changed Zacchaeus forever. After Jesus came to his house, Zacchaeus—greedy Zacchaeus—willingly and joyfully gave up the wealth that he had stolen. Jesus changed Zacchaeus from the inside out, and now Zacchaeus wanted to live differently. Jesus had set Zach free!
Think about it!
Use the questions below to review the story with your family.
These questions are built just for STUDENTS.
Read Luke 19:1–2 and Ask: What do you know about tax collectors during Jesus's time? Did the people of Jericho like Zacchaeus? Why or why not? Is it harder for God to save a wealthy person or a poor person?
Read Luke 19:3–4 and Ask: Why was Zacchaeus willing to climb up a sycamore tree? Do you think that would have been embarrassing? Are you willing to be embarrassed to pursue Christ?
Read Luke 19:5–6 and Ask: Do you believe that Jesus knows you, loves you, and cares about you? Have you ever felt like Jesus doesn't know, love, and care about you? What made you feel this way?
Read Luke 19:7–10 and Ask: According to verse 10, why did Jesus come to earth? Where do you find yourself in this verse? Are you lost or found? How do you know?
Remember It!
Take a few minutes to review our catechism question, memory passage. You can sing the memory passage song. The kids are also learning the Apostle's Creed in the month of March by singing the song linked below.
Memory Passage: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15
Big Picture/Catechism Question:
What makes Jesus different? Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Review and Pray!
Here are some great ideas to review this lesson in your own family.
These activities are built just for KIDS.
Write your child's name in bubble letters on a sheet of paper. Then, invite them to draw something unique about them inside each letter. Remind your child that Jesus knows their name.
Use toys or dolls to act out the story. You could begin by collecting taxes from each of your child's stuffed animals.
At the end of your devotional, take time to pray. Pray for those who are severely affected by the virus, for our government leaders as they make decisions about our city, state, and country, and for peace for our church family.