1 Jesus and Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10 Characters: Narrator, Jesus, Zacchaeus, Pharisee Narrator: A few days before Holy Week, Jesus was passing through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. Jesus had stopped in Jericho, and began to teach the people there. Soon, a very large crowd began to gather. A tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was in town, and wanted to go see him. Zacchaeus: (to himself) Jesus is in town! I must go see him! But, how will I even be able to see him, with this large crowd? I can’t see over their heads! Narrator: Zacchaeus was a very short man. But he had an idea—there was a tall fig tree near where Jesus was preaching. Zacchaeus decided to climb it to see Jesus. Jesus looked up, and saw Zacchaeus. Jesus: Zacchaeus, come down immediately! I must stay at your house today! Narrator: Zacchaeus came down from the fig tree, and welcomed Jesus to his house, and prepared a magnificent feast for Jesus and his disciples. But some of the crowd members were very unhappy with what Jesus was doing. Pharisee: Look at Jesus! He has gone to be the guest of a sinner! Narrator: Zacchaeus stood up at the end of his banquet for dinner, announcing a donation to the poor. Zacchaeus: Look, Lord! I now give half of all of my money and possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times the amount. Jesus: Today, salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost. .