July 19, 2026 | Zacchaeus, the Repentant Tax Collector

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Devotional Reading: Luke 6:31–38

Background Scripture: Luke 19:1–10

Introduction

A. Favorite Story

“Zacchaeus was a wee little man...”. So begins a popular children’s Sunday school song about this Bible story. As a child, I loved the story of Zacchaeus. I remember the first time I heard it—I leaned in to catch every word. The anticipation! The drama! The tree climbing! When I was little, I loved to climb trees and was delighted that one of my favorite activities showed up in the Bible. Even better—Zacchaeus did it to see Jesus! I sympathized with Zacchaeus’s inability to see over the crowd. Most of all, I loved this story because Jesus knew Zacchaeus’s name.

As an adult, I climb fewer trees but still sit up straighter whenever I hear or read Zacchaeus’s story. I still marvel that Jesus knew Zacchaeus’s name—and also knows mine. However, these days, it is Zacchaeus’s response to Jesus that catches my attention. The story challenges me now: What kind of fruit is my faith bearing? To what lengths will I go to see and follow Jesus?