Bible Reading: Luke 19:1–10

A New Beginning

Jesus was traveling through the city of Jericho. Crowds of people gathered wherever he went because they wanted to hear him teach.

A man named Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus too.

Zacchaeus was very short, and the crowd was so big that he could not see over everyone’s heads.

So he had an idea!

He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree.

When Jesus reached the tree, he looked up and smiled.

“Zacchaeus,” Jesus called, “come down! I want to visit your home today.”

Zacchaeus hurried down the tree with a joyful heart.

Some people in the crowd grumbled.

“Why would Jesus spend time with someone like him?”

You see, Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Many people believed he had treated others unfairly.

But Jesus saw more than Zacchaeus’s mistakes.

He saw someone who could change.

After spending time with Jesus, Zacchaeus stood up and said,

“I will give half of what I own to people who are poor. If I have cheated anyone, I will repay them four times as much.”

Jesus smiled and said,

“Today salvation has come to this house.”

Jesus came to help people discover God’s love and begin new lives.

Zacchaeus learned that no one is beyond God’s mercy, and that real change begins with an open heart.

What Can We Learn?

Jesus looks at our hearts, not just our past. With God’s love, people can grow, make things right, and become more loving every day.

Love Like Francis and Clare

If you’ve made a mistake, do your best to make it right. If someone else is trying to change, encourage them instead of reminding them of their past.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You for giving us new beginnings. Help us grow in kindness, make things right when we can, and see others with the same loving eyes that Jesus does.

Amen.

Remember This Verse

“The Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10