When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.” 
So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus.
Luke 19:5-6

When you were a little child, watching a parade go by, you likely couldn’t see very well because the people in front of you were much taller than you. Maybe your Dad put you on his shoulders so that you could see better.

For the past ten chapters in the Gospel of St. Luke, all the stories and teachings of Jesus happen while he is making his way to Jerusalem; there he will suffer, die and rise from the dead. Great crowds followed Jesus; it was just like a parade!  A very short man named Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as he passed by.  Zacchaeus was too heavy to sit on someone’s shoulders, so he climbed up a tree so that he could see Jesus.  Watch him; then catch the smile of love on Jesus’ face when he sees Zacchaeus sticking out way up in that tree.

So many people in our lives have shared their faith and love with us, for they too, wanted to wiggle their way through the events of their lives so that they could see Jesus better.   We get to see Jesus, because it is as though we are sitting on the shoulders of these faithful ones, so that we too can see Jesus. 

Luke 19:1-28

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This being Year C,
the third year in the cycle, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.