Jesus and Zacchaeus the tax collector � Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. �Zacchaeus!� he said. �Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.� Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. �He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,� they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord 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!�

Jesus responded, �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.�