THE MAN WHOM NO-ONE LOVED.

Mean Zac charged a high price for the goods which he sold. Also he collected too much money for taxes. He was very rich and also very slight.

Zac heard about a procession coming to his town, so he decided to watch. He hurried along to the village but no-one in the crowd moved to make way for him. They hated him. Sadly, poor Zac walked by himself. Because he was too short to look over anyone’s shoulder he climbed the nearest tree to wait for the procession.

The noisy crowd pushed and shoved as the procession moved along the road. The people waved and shouted. However , to their surprise, the man leading the procession walked straight on past the crows to the tree where Zac clutched the branches for safety. He could not risk falling into the crowd, who seemed puzzled that the man knew that Zac , hid in the tree.

The man parted the branches, looked at Zac, at whom He smiled in such a friendly way. No-one ever smiled at Zac. Often they sneered at him ,because he robbed the people’s money.

‘Hurry, come down from the tree, ‘said the man kindly. ‘I want to come home to your place to lunch. ‘

By this time a disgruntled crowd gathered around the tree. Here was the man who led the procession, actually honouring Zac with a visit to his home for a meal.

Zac, the meanest person in their town.

‘Fancy going home with that fellw,’ they teased, and pulled angry faces at the man, while Zac scrambled down from the tree.

The two men walked along the road together asd they left the crowd shaking their fists at Zac.

Zac’s wonderful lunch with his new friend was like a party, as they talked together.

The man was so kind and friendly to Zac. Nevertheless, he also spoke seriously to Zac, who began to understand his greed and unkindness to the people in the village.

Probably Mrs Zac quickly prepared a tasty meal of bread, cheese, honey, figs, and grapes for the unexpected visitor. She may have quenched their thirst from freshly – pressed grape juice. Even she was surprised at the friendly visitor.

The kind man talked with Zac who realised how he became rich through selfishly charging high prices and expecting huge amounts of tax money from the people.

‘I will return all the money,’ said repentant Zac to his new friend. ‘ In fact to show my deep sorrow over my greed I will give four times the amount that I took from each person.’

So, at the end of the meal, Zac walked out to meet the people. Perhaps they gathered to enquire what had happened in Zac’s home. To their surprise, Zac walked out smiling, so that one man shouted,

‘What has happened to you, Zac. I suppose you have made more money.’

And right there Zac apologised to the crowd. ‘ I am here to pay back all the money I cheated from you.’

The people laughed.

‘I don’t believe you,’ said the leader.

‘ Yes, it IS true,’ said Zac. ‘ In fact, I will give you back four times as much as I stole , because I have changed. I promise also to help the poor people. I met JESUS today, and He has brought salvation to my life and family.’

Yes, Zac’s new friend, Jesus, explained to him that loving God means acting right, even apologising to people whom you have hurt or cheated.

Everyone in that town Knew that Zac had been with Jesus.

If you look in Acts 4:13, you will also read that when their friends saw the faces of Peter and John, they knew that these men had been with Jesus.

What does your face tell your friends?

Read Luke 19:1-10

Memorise verse 10