A Taxman Named Zaccheus

One day as Jesus was traveling, He passed through Jericho,
And crowds gathered around Him, hoping for a show.

There was a man who came out, but ‘cause of the crowd couldn’t draw near.
Because of his small stature, he could hardly see or hear.

This short taxman named Zaccheus, climbed into a sycamore tree,
In order to catch a glimpse of Jesus, Who he desperately wanted to see.

The man was a veritable outcast, reviled by his neighbors.
He collected taxes for the Romans and often cheated in his labors.

He likely did not expect Jesus would come to Him,
But as the Lord walked by He looked up at the sycamore limb.

And He said, “Zaccheus, come down from there My friend.
I am coming to your house to, the evening with you, spend.”

The crowd had wanted a show, and indeed they got one.
They grumbled, “How could He dine with this man after the sin he has done?”.

But Zaccheus admitted his sin and to Jesus cried out,
“I give half my goods to the poor, and what I’ve defrauded I’ll reroute.

What I’ve taken I’ll repay to the owners up to fourfold.
No longer my ill gotten gains, will I continue to hold.”

Jesus smiled and said, “Today salvation has come to this house.
It’s because this man’s received Me that, repentance, he does espouse.

For I came to seek and save the lost; to be a doctor for the sick.
It is the sinful and the outcasts I’ve reached down to pick.”

And so it is for all of us; Jesus has come to us in the same way.
He bids us give Him welcome and receive Him today.

For we are all Zaccheus; all of us have sinned.
But Jesus does not despise us; He’s seen us far off and grinned.

He loves and does desire to forgive our sin and give us life.
And all who repent and trust Him will be cleansed of sin and strife.

So let’s learn from Zaccheus, accept Jesus and rejoice.
Our loving God has seen us, and out the grave He will, us, hoist.