I. Background Information
Luke 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
III. Label the Text
- Highlight everything you are told about Zacchaeus.
- What does this info tell you about him?
- Mark anything else which seems significant.
IV. Reflect on the Text
In v 8, we seem to be in Zacchaeus’ home. What do you think he saw and heard there that caused him to change?
V. Summary
Pretend you are Zacchaeus. Write a short entry in your journal reflecting on what has happened to you today (feelings, thoughts, decisions...)
Pretend you are Jesus. Write a short entry in your journal about what happened with Zacchaeus today (feelings, thoughts...)
VI. Personal Application
You really are one of Jesus’ followers -- and you have just had another experience with him. Write a short journal entry about what you are thinking and feeling. (You could also write this as a note to him.)
