RESTITUTION

What did Zacchaeus do?

He restored the things he illegally got.

The case of the woman is different from that of Zacchaeus.

God expects us to restore anything we wrongly acquire.

Ezekiel 33:14

Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

Ezekiel 33:15

If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Ezekiel 33:16

None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

You can’t claim to have repented and still be enjoying the proceeds of your crime. Even the government takes back money and properties from officials who stole them.

St. Luke 19:8

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

St. Luke 19:9

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Restitution is à confirmation that we have truly repented. This was why Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “this day is salvation come to this house”. Zacchaeus walked the talk.

While repentance is towards God, restitution is towards man.

Make up with your fellow man before you come to offer any gift before God, Jesus said.

The Bible teaches us we must restore anything we stole if we repent.

If you know the principle of first mention in Bible interpretation, you’ll understand that God expects and commands restoration for wrong acts done.

Jesus confirmed this too.

Maybe he could have told Zacchaeus not to worry about any restitution na. All the people knew him to be a froward man, and an evidence of his Repentance would have been to make amends and do restitution. And as soon as he said it, Jesus said, “this day is salvation come into this house.”..

Also, Jesus said, “if you bring your gifts to the altar and remember your brother have ought against you, leave your gift and go back and make amends with your brother, and later offer your gift.” This is also another form of restitution.

When Paul spoke roughly and harshly to the High Priest and was told it was the High Priest he was talking to, he immediately apologised and made restitution on that matter.

Restitution is an outward manifestation of true repentance.

There are some things one can’t restore, like killing, etc. The things you can restore and you still have them, restore them.