Deeds/Interactions of Jesus - Jesus’ encounter with a tax collector

Zacchaeus the tax collector

Zacchaeus the tax collector

• Jesus entered Jericho where Zacchaeus lived

• a chief tax collector, who was corrupt and wealthy.

• He couldn’t see Jesus because he was short . So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree.

• Jesus looked up, “ Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today .”

• He came down and welcomed him gladly

• The people were upset - “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

• But Zacchaeus stood up and said “Lord I now 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.”

• Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house”.

• “For the son of man came to seek and to save what was lost”

Zacchaeus the tax collector - Quotes

1. “ Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today .”

2. “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

3. “Lord I now 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.”

4. “Today salvation has come to this house”.

5. “For the son of man came to seek and to save what was lost”

Why was tax collectors hated?

• Traitor - He worked for the roman government who imposed taxes on the country and were an occupying force

• Cheat - Tax collectors has a reputation for being dishonest

• Unclean - They were not able to give their money to charity as it was regarded as ‘unclean’

What can Christians learn?

Instead of ignoring people or judging them because of their lifestyles, they believe it is important to go out of their way to be friendly, carinf and help others feel worthwhile.