The Small One (Part 2)

One night, while I was resting on the rooftop of my house, I overheard a conversation. Two of the household servants were talking about a religious teacher. They mentioned that one of his followers was formerly a tax collector and that he performed miracles, like healing the blind and the deaf; and raising the dead.

I thought it was ridiculous but over the next few days, the news of this teacher was everywhere I turned, and they said his name was Jesus. There were rumours that he was getting closer to our town and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.

A few days later while I was on my way to the market square, people both young and old were running excitedly in the opposite direction. Some were calling to their friends saying, “Jesus of Nazareth is here!”

I suddenly wanted to see him.  So, I followed the crowd, but I was too short to see anything. Noticing the direction the crowd and Jesus were going, I ran ahead and spotted a sycamore tree. I quickly climbed it, just in time to see Jesus approach. On first impression, he looked like any other religious teacher and at the same time he didn’t. His face radiated with joy and peace. There was an air of humility around him, which was unlike most religious teachers.

Before I knew it, Jesus was standing at the bottom of the tree looking up at me. I was shocked and thought he was going to make fun of me, like others had always done. Instead, he called me by name and said,

*“Zacchaeus! Quickly come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

How did he know my name? I didn’t really have time to think about it. I was too excited that Jesus wanted to be a guest at my house. He didn’t mind who I was or what others thought of me. Some people were unhappy that he was visiting me and said,

*“He’s visiting at the house of a notorious sinner!” But he just ignored them.

Once Jesus entered my house, the ambiance changed. I felt and saw something I had never seen before. There was the sound of joy and laughter. The followers of Jesus were happy people and were really grateful that I entertained them.  And they spoke kindly to every member of my household. Jesus was so relaxed that his presence brought me peace. I was so moved by his presence that I felt that I needed to make amends. So, I stood up and said,

*“I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

His reply surprised me:

*“Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

From that day on my life was transformed. I had a peace of mind, I couldn’t explain. It didn’t matter what people thought about me anymore. Because the only thing that mattered was what Jesus thought of me – a true son of Abraham.

He didn’t see who I was, but he saw who I could become. With Jesus your past doesn’t matter, no matter how bad you think it is. He loves you and cares about who you will become in him. Also, nothing in this world can satisfy without Jesus. He is Life and the Creator of all things. With him I was not the small one but the loved one.

The End.

*Luke 19: 1-10

Stay blessed,

Lara