by Mark Weinrich

His embroidered robe was worth more
than most people made in a lifetime,
yet soiling it or ruining it was not even
on his mind, when that chief tax collector
climbed the sycamore tree. 
Zacchaeus had to see Jesus.

The absurdity of that rich man
clinging to a limb was too much
for Jesus, laughter spilled up
with hilarious delight. “Zacchaeus,
hurry and come down, for I must
stay at your house.”

The rich man couldn’t believe it.
“He wants to stay with me!”
Gladness overwhelmed him and then
Zacchaeus heard the crowd’s grumbling.
When he offered restitution, 
Jesus beamed again. “Today salvation
has come to this house, because he, too,
is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man 
has come to seek and to save that which 
was lost.” 

Jesus takes great delight in finding
treasure, treasure in a human heart
that no one dreamed was there.

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Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 139 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.