Look at the Company He Keeps!
Posted on Apr 02, 2025 by Heather Lewis
Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.
And as the Savior passed that way, He looked up in that tree, and He said:
“Zacchaeus, you come down! For I’m coming to your house today!”
This song is how I learned about Zacchaeus as a child. It certainly doesn’t tell the whole story, does it? Only that he was short, climbed a tree to see Jesus, and had Him over for dinner after Jesus invited himself.
This scene in Luke 19 is only ten verses long, but it includes the people in town muttering about Jesus hanging out with a sinner who collects taxes from his own people. It also ends the story with Zacchaeus promising to return everything he has taken and then some, and Jesus promising salvation to the lost.
I think it’s important for kids (and adults!) to hear that Jesus didn’t just hang out with “sinners” to defy social norms. He showed them that God loves them without judgement and motivated them to change their lives for the better.
Kids from Salem and Overland Park Lutheran Church are performing the musical Hurry on Down! this week, and they present the story of Zacchaeus from many sides. We meet Zacchaeus’ family as they welcome Jesus into their home, yet struggle to say a blessing together before dinner. Next the townspeople scoff at the company Jesus keeps, instead of eating with people more deserving (like them!) We hear Zacchaeus apologize and promise to spread his wealth back to his neighbors, and Jesus proclaiming salvation and grace to the whole wide creation.
This week, may we see our world with the grace and mercy Jesus has for us all.
In Christ’s Love,Heather Lewis
Director of Worship and Music
Director of Youth Ministries