Biblical Story

Zacchaeus was a tax collector for the Roman Empire at the times of Jesus. He knew that Jesus was passing by his town so he went to see him. Zacchaeus was a short man so in order for him to see Jesus he had to climb a tree overlooking the crowd. Once he climbed the tree Jesus saw him and told him:  “Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly” (Luke 19 5:6). The crows was in shock as the tax collector was seen as a traitor at that times and nobody liked him; but that was what Jesus wanted. When they arrived to his house he has told Jesus: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” This shows us that through God everything possible and a man is saved through his actions.

The Sycamore Tree Today

Today at the center town of Jericho you can see the Tree of Zacchaeus still standing after 2000 years. It is a reminder for us that no one is perfect and through the love that Jesus spread we are enlightened. Zacchaeus was as normal as any other human he wanted to look after himself, and when he knew that Jesus was coming he went to go and see him because he didn’t want to miss out. But Jesus changed his path that day when Jesus spoke to him. He showed him that god is there for everybody.