NOBODY LIKES ME

"Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me," thought Zacchaeus, the little man from Jericho. "I guess I am the most miserable man in the whole world."

All of these thoughts were in his mind as he trudged along the road that led to the village center. People kept jostling him as they hurriedly passed. It seemed to Zacchaeus that some pushed against him on purpose . . . even trying to hurt him.

"Ouch!" he cried, for a fat man that very minute had stepped on his toe, purposely, too, for he had not said he was sorry.

Zacchaeus limped off the roadway, hopping about on one foot as he held the other sandaled foot in his hand trying to ease the fiery pain.

"That man put me in pain to be mean yet he is hurrying to see a Man who heals pain, a Man who loves people and who would never be mean to anyone." For a moment Zacchaeus grew thoughtful . . . "But here I am, a man who has cheated many people, and I, too, am going to see the Man who would never do such a thing."

People hurrying on were laughing very loudly and pointing at Zacchaeus, who stood on one foot. Very embarrassed, the little man limped back to the road and picked up speed as best he could. "No one would help me even if I were seriously hurt," were his sad thoughts. "It's because I collect their taxes. I hate myself."

Zacchaeus tipped back his black curly head and glanced up at the sun. It was high in the sky which meant there was not much time left before Jesus would be walking through town.

Looking ahead at the throng already lining the streets, the little man's heart sank, for how, he wondered, would he ever see over the top of everyone's head.

"Hurry! Hurry!" people were beckoning to their friends. "Jesus will soon arrive."

As Zacchaeus tried to make his short legs go faster he began to wish he had ridden one of the fine horses he owned.

"No need for you to hurry," jibed someone.

"Naw," shouted someone else. "Jesus doesn't want to see a cheat like you!"

"Haw Haw," people were laughing but suddenly there was a hush through the crowd. "He is coming. We can see Him!"

Zacchaeus had all he could do to keep from crying. Before him was a wall of people and though he stood on tiptoe he could not see above the head of anyone.

Then the little man had an idea. He crouched down and tried to crawl through the crowd, but he had not gone far at all when he was noticed.

"So that's your trick," hissed a coarse man bringing his heel down hard on Zacchaeus' hand.

"Ouch!" He could not help but cry out in pain, but quickly stuffed his sore finger in his mouth.

"That does it," he thought sadly, "now I will never get to see Jesus. My day is completely spoiled."

Straightening up the little man looked around to see if there was any other way possible that he might get through, but there was not. It was then he noticed the sycamore tree that stood nearby. Its branches were thick . . . a perfect place to be above the heads of everyone.

It was certainly worth a try and turning about Zacchaeus ran to the tree and in a wink he had climbed it and was now well hidden. Then parting the branches he chuckled happily for he knew he had the best view of Jesus of anyone. How his heart thrilled as he looked over at the kind and loving Man!

Then a most amazing thing happened. Zacchaeus wondered if it could be his imagination or was Jesus really looking up his way. Pushing the branches together he leaned back against the trunk of the tree trying to make himself invisible. But peeking through the branches he knew he had not been successful. Was Jesus angry with him, too? Was he coming over to scold him as had the others? The very thought of it was more than the little man could bear.

"Suppose . . ."

But Zacchaeus had no time to finish his thought for Jesus was standing directly under the tree and in the kindest voice imaginable He was saying, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly for I am going to be a guest at your house today."

So surprised was the little man from Jericho that he all but fell from the tree. Joyfully he slid to the ground, but again he grew frightened for looking around at the crowd he saw anger and hatred on the faces of the people, who, it seemed were ready to pounce on him, so jealous were they that the Master was speaking to him. But he knew nothing could harm him now. And looking up into the face of Jesus he stood humbly before Him saying, "Oh Sir, Sir, from now on I will give half my wealth to the poor, and if I have overcharged anyone on his taxes, I will penalize myself by giving him back four times as much" (Luke 19:8 Living Bible).

Jesus smiled. "That shows, Zacchaeus, that salvation has come to your house today."

So it was that the little man who wouldn't give up saw and heard more of Jesus than anyone else in Jericho.