Zacchaeus was a rich man, but he wasn’t very honest. He collected tax money from the people and usually made them pay more than they owed. One day Jesus came to Zacchaeus’ town. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but there was a big crowd all around Jesus. Zacchaeus was a very short man, so he ran on ahead and climbed up into a tree so he could see Jesus.
Zacchaeus was quite unhappy because he didn’t have any friends. People didn’t like him because he took their money. He thought that Jesus wouldn’t like him either, but when Jesus came closer to the tree, He stopped and looked up at him and called him by his name. “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down for I’d like to stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus was very happy. After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus wanted to help people too and promised to give their money back.1
Another friend of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. She was a very sad girl as she had been naughty, but Jesus forgave her and showed her a better way to live.2
Zacchaeus was a wee little man,
And he also was a cheater.
He climbed up in a tree one day
To see the famous teacher.
Jesus spied the little man.
He said, “I’m coming to your house today!”
Zacchaeus was a happy man,
He started livin’ the heavenly way.
Zacchaeus was a happy man,
He started livin’ the heavenly way.
Jesus made the people glad,
He taught them a better way.
Jesus gave them all He had,
He gave them the heavenly way.
Mary Magdalene was sad,
Though she knew a lot of people.
She didn’t care too much for some,
And they didn’t like her either.
Mary came to Jesus, who said,
“Your sins are all forgiven today.”
Mary was a happy girl,
She started livin’ the heavenly way.
Mary was a happy girl,
She started livin’ the heavenly way.
Jesus made the people glad,
He taught them a better way.
Jesus gave them all He had,
He gave them the heavenly way.
Footnotes:
1 Luke 19:1–10
2 Luke 8:1–2; Mark 16:9
Taken from the album Great Adventures 2. Music and Lyrics by Cathy Gehr. Vocal by Amendoa Hopper. Produced by Allan Pratt.Copyright © 1996 by Aurora Production AG. Used by permission.