Story of Zacchaeus

Puppet Skit for Children's Ministry | by Dana L. Gagnon

Cast: Zacchaeus, Mr. Sycamore (coughs throughout the skit), Voice of Jesus (no puppet needed)

(Zacchaeus enters looking around.)

Zacchaeus: Did I hear my name? I’m sure I heard someone say “Zacchaeus.” Hmmph. Oh well. Of course, “Zacchaeus” is my formal name. My friends would call me “Zach”-if I had any. My mother doesn’t even call me Zach anymore. Actually, she doesn’t call me anything. She won’t talk to me at all anymore. Hmm. It’s not my fault I had to be the one to take away her life savings. Business is business. Taxes have to be paid you know. Eh. Oh well. What are you going to do? I guess it’s lonely at the top. (sighs) …real lonely.

Mr. Sycamore enters, trying to sneak by Zacchaeus so Zacchaeus doesn’t see him. Unfortunately, Mr. Sycamore coughs, and Zacchaeus turns around. Mr. Sycamore is holding a little sack.

Zacchaeus: Mr. Sick-some-more!

Mr. Sycamore: That’s Syc-A-more-like the tree.

Zacchaeus: Whatever. Mr. Sick-some-more, I just wanted to remind you that I expect to be collecting this week’s taxes from you tomorrow.

Mr. Sycamore: What?! I just gave you a bag of silver coins yesterday! I have nothing left!

Zacchaeus: What’s that, then?

Mr. Sycamore: THIS bag is for the doctor. I need to do something about this cough I’ve had for weeks.

Zacchaeus: Well, if you’ve had it for weeks, then you’re probably used to it by now. Why don’t you just give me that bag now (Zacchaeus swipes bag), and it will save you the trip tomorrow.

Mr. Sycamore: (stamping offstage) ARGGGGHHHH!

Zacchaeus: Have a nice day! Well, I guess not everyone appreciates a head for business.

Mr. Sycamore re-enters the stage in a hurry.

Mr. Sycamore: Hey, Zacchaeus. Have you heard about the new Rabbi traveling around the country?

Zacchaeus: New Rabbi? Let me check my tax records. No, no one new has applied for tax-free clergy status lately.

Mr. Sycamore: Whatever that means. Zacchaeus, you must have silver coins in your ears if you haven’t heard about Jesus. He’s been traveling from city to city teaching people about God and His kingdom in Heaven.

Zacchaeus: No news there. There’s always some rabbi traveling around to explain the holy scriptures. What’s the big deal about this guy?

Mr. Sycamore: What’s the big deal?! Jesus doesn’t just TALK about the scriptures-He makes them come alive. Did you know He made a blind man see, and a man who couldn’t walk, walk again? I’m going to find Him-He can make this cough go away.

Zacchaeus: Hmm. Sounds expensive. From what I’ve seen on your Form 1040 EZ, I doubt you can afford Him.

Mr. Sycamore: Zacchaeus, He doesn’t charge anything for healing people. He says that God wants to give us things like that as gifts, like a father gives gifts to his kids. I gotta run. I don’t want to miss Jesus!

(Mr. Sycamore exits in a hurry.)

Zacchaeus: He heals for free, huh. Not much of a businessman. I remember getting a gift from my dad when I was a kid once. You really have to love someone to want to give them a gift. I don’t suppose there are a lot of folks out there that love me right now. I don’t know why this Jesus man would be any different.

Hmm. I sure would like to hear Him “make the scriptures come alive” though. Maybe I could go and just blend in with the crowd. It’s not like He’d notice me with all the people that have been following Him.

Zacchaeus: Hey. These crowds are a problem. How is it that everyone manages to grow taller than me. You’d think I was short or something. I got to see Jesus. How am I supposed to see over these giants? Oh look-a sycamore tree. Just what I need. When Jesus passes by this spot, I’ll have a great view from here.

(Offstage: Crowd sounds)

Jesus (from offstage): I did not come to save perfect people, but to save sinners.

Zacchaeus: He came to save the sinners! Folks like me who have no friends because they’re mean to them!. Maybe Jesus would love me.

Jesus (from offstage): Zacchaeus, come down.

Zacchaeus: I heard my name again. Must be something in my ears…

Jesus (from offstage): Zacchaeus, come down.

Zacchaeus: Gasp! Jesus, you can’t mean me?

Jesus (from offstage): Zacchaeus, I’m coming to your house for lunch today.

Zacchaeus: But, but, but… You don’t know how rotten I am! You don’t know what I’ve done!

Jesus (from offstage): Zacchaeus, I know you, and I choose your house to come to today.

Zacchaeus: Yes, Lord! I’ll come down right away!

Zacchaeus exits. Crowd sounds fade.

Later, Zacchaeus bumps into Mr. Sycamore on stage. Mr. Sycamore is not coughing.

Mr. Sycamore: Oh, Zacchaeus, I’m kind of in a hurry…I need to rotate my cat… (tries to hurry away)

Zacchaeus: Wait! Mr. Sycamore-there’s something different about you. Did you get a new haircut?

Mr. Sycamore: No

Zacchaeus: Contacts?

Mr. Sycamore: No

Zacchaeus: A new outfit?

Mr. Sycamore: NO!

Zacchaeus: What could it be then?

Mr. Sycamore: My cough is gone! I’m so happy! Jesus healed my cough! I can finally breathe easier again.

Zacchaeus: Wonderful! Mr. Sycamore-I’m so happy for you!

Mr. Sycamore: You are? Really?

Zacchaeus: Yes-I really am. Mr. Sycamore, when Jesus was here yesterday, He came to my house and spoke with me.

Mr. Sycamore: He came to YOUR house?! You’re kidding!

Zacchaeus: No-I’m not. I realized that I was not acting the way God wanted me to, and I promised I would pay back everyone I took too many taxes from.

Mr. Sycamore: Now I know you’re kidding. I don’t believe you.

Zacchaeus: Here. (Zacchaeus hands Mr. Sycamore four sacks of money.)

Mr. Sycamore: Wait-that’s four times what you took from me!

Zacchaeus: I know. I don’t care about those coins any more. I just want to do the things God wants me to. Have a blessed day, Mr. Sycamore-and take care of that cat of yours.

Mr. Sycamore: I’ve had quite a blessed day already, Zacchaeus.

Both exit in different directions.

Copyright 2002 Dana L. Gagnon
jdgagnon@juno.com 

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