Because of copyright, I can't post the monolog, but I will outline key points and your "visitor" can fill in the blanks.
- if you can find a short adult or youth to be Zach, that adds to authenticity
- costuming: rich looking Bible times clothes (nice fabrics). Jewelery such as rings and a pin to hold a cloak (costume jewelry fine). Purple sash or robe sign of affluence. Sandals. Money pouch.
Zacchaeus Monolog Talking Points:
- introduce self as Zach. and announce you have a story to tell about the time you met Jesus.
- but first, let me tell you about what I was like before.
- tax collector -- explain taxes: pay for streets, policemen, army.... When you buy something you pay a little extra. Point to girl wearing dress. "Now, that tunic -- oh, dress. Storekeeper says it costs 10 silver coins. What do you pay? [ten silver coins] No! You pay 11, 10 for dress and one for tax."
- taxes on a lot of things. In Jericho, where I live, pay tax on land, things they make, animals they own, temple tax....
- my job is to make sure everyone pays taxes. I work for the Romans.
- my Jewish neighbors don't like me much -- they don't like Rome.
- because people didn't like me anyways, I sometimes charged them extra and kept it. That's just how tax collectors did our jobs. That's how we got so rich!
- one day I heard Jesus was in town. I had heard about everything he was doing... wanted to see him myself.
- too many people. you may have noticed I am short.
- Jesus important person. but not like other important people who ride chariots. he was walking. hard to see him.
- saw a sycamore tree -- branches great for climbing! so up I went.
- nothing fancy about Jesus. he looked like a normal guy in dusty clothes.
- suddenly, parade stopped and Jesus was under the tree, looking right up at me! and so was everyone else. I realized I must look silly.
- Jesus said -- (Bible quote)
- I was surprised. hurried out of the tree.
- I overheard people saying Jesus shouldn't eat with someone like me.
- talked to Jesus all evening. He told me about love and forgiveness. ...
- finally, I jumped up and said (Bible quote)
- my life was changed. no one made me do this. I wanted to do what Jesus said.
- Jesus smiled and said (Bible quote)
- that night Jesus became my friend not because I was rich or important or popular, but because he wanted to be my friend.
- thank you for listening. ever since then I've tried to love people no matter who they are. "Jesus wants to be your friend too, and you'll never find a better one."
Hope this is enough to get someone started!
Blessings and peace,
Amy Crane
