Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus' climb up to success, 
                             A tax collector, caused great distress
                        
                             Now he climbed a sycamore tree
                              And watched and waited to see 
                        
                            The famous Rabbi was coming his way
                                  A very exciting, curious day
                         
                            Those he'd cheated pressed in close
                             Looking on him with grim morose
                        
                       Zac's conscience pricked him with sin's doubt
                          Then Jesus saw him, and called him out
                           
                          "Zacchaeus! Come down from there!
                           Zac scrambled down in a joyous flair 
 
                              I'm coming to your house today!"
                      But the people said "To his house He'll stay??"
                      
                   The disgruntled crowd muttered and complained
                                "Zac's a  sinner unrestrained"
                      
                           But they too would be filled with joy
                          When they saw righteousness employ.
                       
                               Zac soon proclaimed happily,
                              he'd get to work quite speedily:
               
                   “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; 
                       ---I will now surely by fourfold restore!"
                  
                               Then in joy Jesus announced
                        “Today salvation's come to this house!"
                      
                
                                           ~  <3  ~
                                
                              
                                      
                   "..... for the Son of Man has come to seek...
                           and to save that which was lost.”
             
                               Written by BJ Legros Kelley
                                 with special thanks to 
                                    Anna M. Kaianna
                         for her wonderful assistance with 
                               the editing of this poem

                 Bible scriptures in reference to this poem are from 
                      Luke 19:1-10, Revelation 3:20, and John 3:16 
                                   New King James Version


                           Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House
19 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up [a]and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, [b]make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he [c]made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all [d]complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
 
Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
                        
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kaianah Avatar
January 28, 2022 at 10:39 PM
Love this poem BJ! This is one of my favorite stories in the bible.
Legros Kelley Avatar
February 1, 2022 at 10:38 PM
Hello dear Anna! Thank you for stopping over with your sweet comment, and for helping me to edit this poem as I really did get rather stuck here and there on it! :) Yes, this is a fun and happy story from the Bible! Your comment and visit on here make me happy, you are an encouragement and joy Anna Marie <3 God bless you! <3 :)
Kendrick Avatar
November 3, 2021 at 2:45 PM
Wonderful that he changed and became the man that God knew he could be and the man God wanted him to be. I enjoyed reading your faith based work. Thanks for your visit to my page. Sara
Legros Kelley Avatar
February 1, 2022 at 10:32 PM
Hello Sara, I just got another comment on this poem and then saw that you commented way back in November. I'm so sorry I didn't see it before this. Thank you for stopping by with your visit and comment. I like this Bible story a lot as it shows so sweetly how God's love reaches out to us, wherever and whoever we are. His love changes those of us who accept His teachings and His gift of salvation which help us to do what is right and kind. I'm so glad you like my poem. I hope you and yours are doing well <3
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace