| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 37 |
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Another evidence of the genuineness of the repentance of Zacchaeus was shown in his resolve to make restitution to those whom he had wronged. “If I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” Here we come upon another too much neglected part of consecration. We say: “Let the past go. We cannot change it. We cannot undo the wrongs we have done. Let us make the future beautiful, pure, and true.” This is right in a sense. It is idle to waste time in unavailing tears and regrets. Yet there may be wrongs we have done which we can undo, or at least in a way can set right. If one has spoken false or injurious words against another before his conversion, he should seek instantly to undo the harm so far as it is in his power. Sorrow for sin is not enough if we can in any way make right that which we have marred.
The law of restitution applies to influence; but how impossible it is to recall or undo or gather up that which has gone before.
Jesus saw the sincerity of the man’s heart and the reality of his conversion, and said to him, “this day is salvation come to this house.” That the man’s repentance was genuine was evidenced by such moral changes in his character as always accompany true repenting. Zacchaeus was saved. The publican was now a child of God. It is always so. There is no vain seeking of Christ in this world.
The people murmured at Jesus because He went among the outcasts. He assured them, however, that these were the very people He had come to save. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Sinners were the very ones He had come from heaven to continue to seek. In another place He illustrated the same truth by the case of a physician, whose mission is to the sick, not to the well. Who would sneer at the physician for choosing sick people to associate with and call upon? Who then should murmur at Jesus for going among sinners, when He came to this world expressly to save sinners?
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