Title: Christus Rex
Scene: The Tree and the Tax Collector
Starring: Joseph C. Jukic as Christus Rex (Jesus), and Basashar as Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
EXT. JERICHO – DUSK
Golden light spills over the narrow road into Jericho. The crowd hums like bees — pilgrims, merchants, beggars, Roman soldiers — all pushing forward to see the man they call Christus Rex.
The sound of sandals on sand. Dust rising. Whispers follow Him like shadows.
At the edge of the road stands ZACCHAEUS (Basashar), a short, sharply dressed man with gold rings and nervous eyes. Children jeer at him. He’s despised but curious.
Zacchaeus looks down the road where the crowd parts for CHRISTUS REX (Joseph C. Jukic) — tall, calm, radiant but weary, as if carrying the weight of all empires.
Zacchaeus mutters to himself.
ZACCHAEUS
(to himself)
Too many people. I’ll never see Him from here.
He looks around, sees a fig tree with low branches, and scrambles up like a desperate boy escaping judgment. His sandals slip on the bark, but he climbs anyway.
Children laugh. A Roman guard shakes his head.
CHILD
(laughing)
Look! The tax man’s in a tree!
Zacchaeus ignores them, clutching the branches, peering through the leaves as Christus Rex approaches.
The Messiah slows his pace. The noise of the crowd fades as if the air itself is listening.
Christus looks up. His gaze pierces through leaves and pride.
CHRISTUS REX
(calling gently)
Zacchaeus… come down.
A stunned silence. The tax collector freezes, eyes wide.
ZACCHAEUS
(awkwardly)
You… you know my name?
CHRISTUS REX
I knew you before the coins chained your heart.
Come down, my friend. Tonight, I will dine at your house.
The crowd murmurs in disbelief. Pharisees whisper among themselves.
PHARISEE
He dines with sinners!
CHRISTUS REX
(turning to them, calm but thunderous)
I came not for the righteous… but for the lost.
Zacchaeus slides down the tree, landing awkwardly. He kneels before Christus, trembling.
ZACCHAEUS
Lord… I’ve cheated men. Taken what wasn’t mine.
But if you’ll come to my house — I’ll give half of what I own to the poor.
And if I’ve wronged anyone, I’ll repay them fourfold.
Christus places His hand on Zacchaeus’ head.
CHRISTUS REX
Salvation has come to your house, Zacchaeus.
The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
The crowd falls silent. The sun breaks through the fig leaves, bathing both men in gold.
Christus Rex turns to the people — His eyes fierce, His voice echoing like wind over the desert.
CHRISTUS REX
The Kingdom of Heaven does not rise in marble palaces.
It begins… in the heart of a sinner who climbs a tree just to see God.
He smiles faintly, gestures for Zacchaeus to walk beside Him. Together they disappear into the glow of dusk.
FADE OUT.