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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Snap (09/04/08)
"This is it, my day has finally come," said a man standing with his cloak flapping in the hot humid wind of Jericho. The man was short and stout in stature, his skin was bronzed from the sun, and his chocolate brown eyes glistened like fresh water. His spirit and name was Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus saw a man called Jesus, followed by a crowd; he had heard about Jesus and believed he could change his life. Zacchaeus peered to the right and left to see Jesus. Just then a tall man moved to the left and Zacchaeus saw a tall sycamore-fig tree a distance away from Jesus and the crowd.

Zacchaeus pushed and sprinted his short body through the crowd. His heart raced and his short stubby legs ached with great pain, but his spirit had an unquenchable need. He proceeded to climb the tree; bark embedded under his nails and sent pain to his toenails. Although his toenails ached, it was a good day to climb the tree. The tree had bore fruit that was sweet to the tastebuds.

Zacchaeus reached a branch to nest in and with a snap the branch broke and he came tumbling down. Now laying on the ground on his back, Zacchaeus plan had failed. There was no hope in his heart, for Jesus was heading his way. Zacchaeus thought if life were easy, he wouldn't be here today. This short man dust himself off and quickly climbed the tree. He waited patiently and didn't shift any leaves as to conceal his presence.

Moments later, Jesus passed under the tree and paused; the Spirit of God told him to look up. As he did he saw poor, short Zacchaeus in the tree. Jesus' voice echoed, "Zacchaeus come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."(Luke 19:5)

Zacchaeus tried to come down quickly and missed a branch; he came faster than expected landing on his face. Welcoming Jesus to his home, he was frowned upon by the crowd; he was a tax collector and was considered a sinner.

"Jesus is going to be a guest to a sinner man," the crowd murmured. Zacchaeus promised to give half of his possessions to the poor, and if he had cheated any one he would pay them back four times the amount.

That day salvation came into the house of Zacchaeus, a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.(Luke 19:10)
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Mary Alice Bowles
09/12/08
I always loved this story. You did a good job with this one...
Yvonne Blake 
09/12/08
I'm not sure it happened JUST like that, but it could have. I would have liked to have known more of Zacchaeus' thoughts as to why he needed to see Jesus.
Well written.