Your miracle has been in progress and is being prepared. Look for it! Believe! Expect it! Watch for the small and the large.
Yeshua entered and passed through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem. There was a man named Zakkai (Aramaic for Zacchaeus). A brief description of Zakkia is given to us, which helps in thinking more about “Who is Zakkia)? We learn that he is of short stature, rich, and chief of tax collectors.
In our readings of Scripture, we often come across many interesting Biblical characters, but Zakkia stands out. He was the chief of tax collectors. He made his living by collecting taxes for the Roman government, a role that was despised by the Jewish population. Tax collectors were often known to take more money than was due.
When Yeshua passed through Jericho, Zakkia, because of his small stature and the size of the crowd, could not see who Yeshua was. He wanted to know which one of the crowd was Him. So, he climbed up into a sycamore tree to get a better view, knowing that Yeshua was going to pass by.
When Yeshua came to that spot, He looked up and saw Zakkia He called to him, “Hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5). Zakkia hurried down and received Him with joy.
But as often happens, there were naysayers who murmured. Perhaps they were upset because they hadn’t been called out by Yeshua, or maybe it was jealousy. After all, Yeshua was a famous figure by this time — a miracle worker, and many recognized Him as the Son of God, or even God Himself on earth. The people murmured, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner” (Luke 19:7).
But the story doesn’t end there.
Zakkia, now in the presence of Yeshua, stood up and declared, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8). His statement was more than just an acknowledgment of past wrongs — it was a commitment to change.
Yeshua responded, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10).
Zakkia had heard about Yeshua. He saw the crowds and witnessed their murmuring, their jealousy, and their dissatisfaction that a “sinner” would be chosen by the Messiah. Despite this, Zakkia didn’t back down. He had heard and now he saw for himself.
His long-awaited miracle had arrived. The salvation he had only hoped for was now within reach. The burden of his past sins was lifted, and he knew that his life would never be the same. Yeshua’s words resonated in his heart: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Zakkia’s encounter with Yeshua shows the power of redemption. It was not just about the physical act of giving away his wealth, but about the profound transformation of his heart. Zakkia was not only repenting for his sins but also publicly declaring his new life — one in which he would no longer live in the shadow of greed and dishonesty.
In his confession, Zakkia did not hold back. His open admission of his wrongs and his decision to repay fourfold anyone he had wronged was a sign of true repentance. It was a commitment to right the wrongs he had done, an act that spoke volumes about the authenticity of his transformation.
Zakkia’s story is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Yeshua came to seek and save those who are lost, regardless of their past or how society may view them. There is always hope for redemption.
As we reflect on Zakkia’s encounter with Yeshua, we are reminded that the miracle we’ve been waiting for may already be in progress. Like Zakkia, we, too, can experience the transformative power of God’s grace, which can change our lives in ways we never imagined. Believe it, expect it, and look for it, for the long-awaited miracle is closer than we think.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043. For information, call 323-293-9826 or visit www.todaysfreshstart.org, Ask Dr. Jeanette TM “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Have questions or spotted errors? Let me know. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible, The Original Aramaic New Testament in Plain English with Psalms & Proverbs.
