Stories of Love · story 1 of 7
Yeshua and Zakkai
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The reading
Read the passage in ScriptureLuke 19:1–10
The plain-language retelling helps us enter the passage. Scripture itself remains the source.
The story in plain languageAs close as possible to the text, in plain English
Yeshua entered Yericho. Zakkai, a wealthy chief tax collector, wanted to see who Yeshua was. He was short and the crowd blocked his view, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree.
When Yeshua reached the spot, he looked up and called him by name. He asked to stay at his house. Zakkai came down at once and welcomed him gladly, but people around them complained that Yeshua was entering the home of someone they rejected.
Zakkai stood up and said he would give half his possessions to the poor. If he had taken anything unfairly, he would repay it four times over. Yeshua said that salvation had come to this house that day, because the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.
Read, discover, live
Four steps to remember
No prior knowledge is needed. Read slowly, return to the story, and let the words meet everyday life.
Head
What do we understand?
- What do we see in the story?
- What does the story show us about God or Yeshua?
- What does it show us about people, and perhaps ourselves?
Heart
What speaks to us here?
- What speaks to me here?
- What caught my attention in the story? If you wish, pause and ask: Might the Spirit of God be drawing my attention to something here?
Hands
What will we do with this?
- What small, practical step could we take in the next 24–48 hours?
- Is there something to change, adopt, or do differently?
Feet
Where do we go from here?
- Who could we share the story with?
- Who could read it with me?
A small reading tip
As you read, you might look for:
- Something to believe
- A promise to receive
- Advice to put into practice
- Something God asks us to do
- Something that touched me, encouraged me, or was hard to read
To remember
Something you would like to take with you?
One place for anything you want to remember. It stays with you unless you choose to share it with our team.
Reading together?A simple meeting with family, friends, or a Yeshua Group
You can read on your own or invite friends. Reading together lets you hear what each person notices and how the same story touches different lives. Choose a story, read it, and explore the simple questions together.
Looking back
Begin the meeting together
How was the week? What are we thankful for? What was difficult, and how can we help? What happened with the step we chose last time?
Looking up
Read and discover
Read the story. One or two people retell it in their own words. Return to the text and to Head, Heart, Hands, and Feet.
Looking forward
Step into the week
Share what you hope to do, choose one step, think of someone to share with, and pray together for the week ahead.
Would you like to save your progress?
Private
Save and continue to the next story
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