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Jesus and Zacc

¹ Jesus finally got into Jericho and rode through town. ² There was a fellow who lived there named Zacc. He was the head brand inspector for the area and had become rich off of the fees he charged. ³ He wanted to see the man that everyone was talking about, but he couldn't see over the throng of people because he was a short fellow. ⁴ So he did the only thing he knew to do. He climbed a tree nearby. He knew Jesus would come right by there and he would get a good look.

⁵ Sure enough, Jesus rode right by the tree. But instead of passing by, Jesus pulled up and looked up and said, "Zacc, climb down from there. I'm going to stay with you while I'm here. Let's go to your place."

⁶ Zacc scurried down the tree and led the way to his place. His face had a smile a mile wide because Jesus was going to be staying with him. ⁷ But the other folks sure didn't like it much. They said, "Of all the people he could stay with, why did he choose the sorriest one in Jericho?"

⁸ Later that evening during dinner, Zacc stood up in front of Jesus and said, "I am going to give half my wealth to the poor. I will also give back four times as much to all those I cheated on their brand inspections."

⁹ Jesus smiled and said, "Eternal life has come to this ranch today. This guy has shown himself a true cowboy and son of Abraham. ¹⁰ The Top Hand has come to doctor the sick and bring back the strays."

The Hard Cow Boss

¹¹ Everyone was listening to everything Jesus was saying. He told them a story because everyone was thinking that God's outfit was coming very soon. ¹² He said, "A hard cow boss was summoned to the ranch owner's house far away to be made the ranch manager. ¹³ Before he left, he called together ten cowboys and gave them each a young colt to work with while he was gone. ¹⁴ But many people who worked on the big ranch hated the cow boss and didn't want him to be the ranch manager.

¹⁵ "After he was made the ranch manager, he returned to his ranch and called in all the cowboys he'd given colts to. He wanted to see what they'd done with the horses. ¹⁶ The first cowboy said, 'Hey boss. I started your colt, and now you can rope off him, cut cattle, and even throw a little kid up on him if you're of a mind to.'

¹⁷ "'Great job, cowboy!' the new ranch manager said. 'You've done well. You were given a little and returned it to me better. I'm going to make you the new cow boss.'

¹⁸ "The next cowboy said, 'Here you go boss. I've started your colt, and you can drag calves off of him. He's moving real good off your feet, too.'

¹⁹ "'You too did a great job, cowboy!' the ranch manager said. 'I'm going to make you the wagon boss of this outfit.'

²⁰ "But the third cowboy walked up with his horse and handed it back to the ranch manager. The cowboy said, 'I kept him safe for you. I was afraid to do anything with him for fear he'd get hurt, and you'd get mad. ²¹ I didn't want to make you mad because you take credit for what you didn't do and ride horses that you didn't start.'

²² "'You're a sorry excuse for a cowboy!' the new ranch manager roared. 'You've nailed shut your own coffin. If you knew I was a hard man to work for, ²³ at least you could've broke the horse to a saddle or picked up his feet so I could trim him.'

²⁴ "Then the ranch manager handed the horse to another cowboy and said, 'Give this horse to the cow boss.'

²⁵ "'But, sir,' the cowboy said, 'he already has the best horse here. Why does he get two?'

²⁶ "'Because I reward those who do something with a little. But to those who do nothing with a little, everything will be taken from them. ²⁷ And everyone who spoke against me being the new ranch manager, bring them here and kill them in front of me. Every single one of them.'

The Top Hand Rides into Jerusalem

²⁸ After he finished with his story, Jesus struck a long trot for Jerusalem. His twelve cowboys lined up behind him and followed. ²⁹ When they neared Bethphage and Bethany at the Olive Hill, he sent two cowboys ahead. ³⁰ "Go over there and you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden tied up next to a tree. Bring it to me. ³¹ And if anyone asks what you are doing, say, 'The Top Hand needs it.'"

³² So they cowboys rode ahead, and everything was just as Jesus had said. ³³ Even when they untied the colt, the owners asked them what they were doing.

³⁴ The two cowboys said, "The Top Hand needs it for a little while." ³⁵ They brought the colt to Jesus and threw a saddle blanket on it for him to sit on.

³⁶ As he rode into Jerusalem, people laid their coats down on the ground in front of him. ³⁷ When he turned down the road leading down from Olive Hill, all of the people following him began praising God for sending the Top Hand and all the miracles he had done.

³⁸ They hollered, "Let's hear it for the Top Hand who has been sent by the Boss to save us! Peace in heaven, and give all the praise to the highest parts of heaven!"

³⁹ But some of the religious leaders in the crowd said to Jesus, "Hey, tell your followers to quit saying things like that!"

⁴⁰ He replied, "If they didn't say it, the stones in the road would sing out."

⁴¹ When Jesus got closer to the city, his eyes filled with tears. ⁴² He said, "You, Jerusalem, have cried out to God for help and he has answered your prayers. But now it is too late, and you cannot see the gift you've been given. ⁴³ It won't be long before your enemies destroy you. ⁴⁴ They will muck you out like a mad mama cow and do the same to your kids. They won't leave one stone standing on top of another because you were too blind to see when God stood among you."

Jesus Clears Out the Sacrifice Salesmen

⁴⁵ Then Jesus walked into the main church area and began driving out those who were selling animals for sacrifices. ⁴⁶ He said, "The Good Book said, 'My House will be one of prayer,' but you have turned it into a carnival booth."

⁴⁷ After that, he taught every day in the main church, but the preachers, teachers of Moses's code, and other religious leaders didn't like him and started plotting how they could kill him. ⁴⁸ They argued and fought, but they couldn't come up with anything because everyone loved him so much and listened to everything Jesus said.