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Zacchaeus

Children's sermon
Luke 19:1-10
Elaine M. Ward
Story Time At The Altar
86 Messages For Children
"It's not fair! I wish I weren't so small," sighed Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had always been small. As he and his friends grew, he was different from the rest. "It's not fair! I'll show them!" Because Zacchaeus felt left out, he was angry. He decided he would get even with them! When he became older, he became a tax collector and cheated the people, taking more of their money for himself.

"It's not fair!" said the people. "Zacchaeus is taking more than is required as a tax collector." One day the people were gathered in the village square because they had heard that Jesus was coming to their village. Because Zacchaeus was small, he could not see. "It's not fair!" said Zacchaeus, standing on tiptoes among the crowd. So Zacchaeus climbed a tree, and when Jesus came, he said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down. I am going to your house today!"

"It's not fair!" grumbled the crowd. "Why would Jesus eat with Zacchaeus? He is a cheater!" The crowd stood outside the house when Jesus went inside. They stayed there until the door was opened and Zacchaeus and Jesus came out. "People of the village," said Zacchaeus. He smiled at Jesus. "I return to you four times what I have taken from you. Please forgive me, as God has forgiven me." The people nodded their heads, smiling at Jesus to thank him. Then Jesus began to teach them of God's plan when things "are not fair."

Talk together: With whom do you identify in this story? Zacchaeus, the people, or Jesus? Why do you think Jesus ate with Zacchaeus?

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive us as Jesus did Zacchaeus, and help us respond as Zacchaeus and Jesus did. Amen.

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Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


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Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
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Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
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