The story of Zacchaeus is both dramatic and highly visual.
A script for the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19.1-10).
Jesus: Here we are – Jericho! Jericho is such a beautiful city. A real oasis, before the desert road climbs out towards Jerusalem. There are beautiful, shaded gardens here, growing fruit and dates. We should be able to rest here, find somewhere to stay, something to eat, and then move on to Jerusalem. It sounds busy though. Can you hear those crowds chattering and calling? I wonder what’s going on?
Crowd: (each phrase by a different person, but speaking together) Jesus! Jesus! How did you heal the blind man? Tell us how you do it. Quick everyone, come and see Jesus! Come on everyone. Look, look its Jesus.
Person: (to Zacchaeus) Now then you, stop trying to push in. (aside) Honestly, that Zacchaeus he’s such a cheat. (to Zacchaeus) Jesus doesn’t want to see you Zacchaeus. You’re just a mean, money-grabbing little man. Go away.
Zacchaeus: (to self) I just wanted to see Jesus, this man everyone is talking about. I know he won’t be interested in me. No one is. No one wants to be my friend, no one wants to be friends with a tax collector. I’ll never see him in all this crowd. I might have plenty of money but what I have in money I lack in inches – I’m just so short! Wait a minute – I wonder if…could I climb that sycamore tree over there and get a better view? I’ll have to do it secretly – I don’t want to be laughed at; climbing a tree at my time of life! (Zacchaeus climbs tree) There, that’s better. I can see him coming now. And everyone’s cheering, and he’s speaking to people all the way along. He does look kind, he looks at everyone he speaks to with such love. Oh! He almost looked at this tree. Gosh, he’s stopped right underneath me – I’ll have to keep really quiet. Nooooh! He’s looking straight at me. Oh no, everyone’s going to see me and laugh at me.
Jesus: (speaking kindly) Zacchaeus. Come down from there. Hurry. I will stay at your house today.
Zacchaeus: (scrambling down) Yes, yes…of course, Jesus. I would be honoured! (aside) Wow! I can’t quite believe this! How amazing!
Crowd: (each phrase by a different person, but speaking together) What! Jesus is going to his house. He’s a chief tax collector. He’s a sinner! Why on earth would Jesus go to him?
Zacchaeus: (to Jesus) Look, I know I have taken more than I should but I can change. I will give half of all my possessions to the poor. And those people I have cheated, I will pay back. In fact, I will pay them back not just the money I have taken, but four times as much. I was so lonely before, but today I have found love and friendship.
Jesus: Today, Zacchaeus, salvation has come to your house. You have been rescued from a life of money-loving, cheating and loneliness. (to the crowd) Listen everyone, Zacchaeus is just as much loved by God, just as much a son of Abraham, as you are. But he was lost. And I have come to search for and find those who have been lost.