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THE MAKING-IT-RIGHT PRINCIPLE (attempted): If we are standing...before God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against us, we go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come...to God. [Matt. 5:23, 24]

THE MAKING-IT-RIGHT (attempted) PRINCIPLE:

If we are standing...before God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against us, we go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come...to God. [Matt. 5:23, 24]

The little guy who climbed a tree because he couldn't see Jesus. From Sunday school days we have been familiar with him. Zacchaeus had taken advantage of people in his role as tax collector. Roman law required that he collect so many taxes for them. Then anything he could extort above that, he could keep for himself. He represents the one who has sinned against others and the evidence of a change of heart and life must include making things right.

Meeting Jesus

Luke 19:1-10 records the story. Coming into Jericho, Jesus healed a blind man. In his poverty that man was healed. But this rich man wanted to see what the fuss was all about. And the text says "He sought to see Jesus who He was." (Luke 19:3) He was amazed when Jesus spotted him up in the tree and called to him, because he was going to go to his house. Jesus wanted a relationship with him.

Sometimes we are amazed that Jesus wants a relationship with us, but he does. He came in to this world and died for us that we might have a relationship with Him.

The Response to Jesus

Zacchaeus responded to Jesus. He did not say, "I believe." He manifested his belief in actions. Earlier during the time of the ministry of John the Baptist different groups asked what they should do to prove that they had repented. We read, "Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." (Luke 3: 12,13) He was willing to repay four-fold what he had extorted. Whatever it took, he was willing to make it right.

We can experience a special peace and rest when we repair damaged relationships.

What are some sins with which we might have hurt others? (Note Romans 12:14)

What do we do when we can't go to a person that we have wronged?

The New Life

Upon hearing Zaccheus' intention Jesus announces, "Today has salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:9,10) Jesus deals in grace with the sinner. He is willing to give the man a clean start. But Zaccheus had a responsibility to do what he could to rectify his past. He would not have had a testimony if he had not done this.

We may miss out on the full joy of our salvation, if we are unwilling to go back to straighten matters out.

Can you think of a time when going back to settle a matter turned out good in your life.

Remember:

Jesus wants us to do what we can

to make things right.