The Bible presents us with a powerful model of restitution: Zacchaeus.

Jesus had entered Jericho and was passing through the city. Now, there was a man there named Zacchaeus, a very wealthy man who was the chief tax collector. He was eager to see who Jesus was, but he couldn’t because of the crowd, as he was short in stature. So, he ran ahead to the place where Jesus was to pass by and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him. When Jesus reached that spot, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus hurried down at once and received Him with great joy. Seeing this, everyone began to murmur and said, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner!” But Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Lord, I will give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I will repay four times as much.” Then Jesus said about him, “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 what was lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

Zacchaeus, a high-ranking official and a rich man, did not hesitate to commune with Jesus. Who are you to reject Jesus’ invitation to genuine repentance? Do not delay in coming to God. The Bible says, “Zacchaeus hurried down at once.” (Luke 19:6) Don’t postpone your salvation to tomorrow — the time is now. Come down from your sycamore tree! Lay aside your pride, your shame, your honors, and humble yourself! Make room for salvation in your heart, in your home, in your household, in your marriage, and in your business. The Lord will visit you personally.

If Zacchaeus, a pagan, did it — why not you, a believer? As soon as Zacchaeus heard Jesus’ message of repentance — the same one you’re hearing now — he made a move toward Jesus. He took a radical and total commitment: “Lord, if I have extorted anything from anyone, I will repay four times as much.” What is your commitment to repentance?

Zacchaeus didn’t stop at saying, “Lord, forgive me, I have sinned.” He became aware of the pain he had caused others. As a high official and very wealthy man, he was likely involved in bribery, fake paperwork, and probably full of pride due to his influence. Yet Zacchaeus, a pagan, made restitution to others — that’s restitution to fellow humans. But you, who have been baptized and still live in sin, must confess everything, make everything right, and return all that you have wrongfully taken.

Another powerful point stands out in Zacchaeus’ conversion: “If I have extorted anything from anyone…” (Luke 19:8). This implies the need to reconstruct the facts of your life. What happened? Who are the people you have wronged? Who are the ones you have hurt? Who are the ones you have betrayed?

Zacchaeus was probably a corrupt man. Corruption is organized theft, a well-packaged lie. And you — what is your iniquity? Did you lie for money? Seduce for money? Lie for honors? Steal to satisfy your desires? Did you dip your hand into a wallet, a purse, a cash box that wasn’t yours — and yet you claim to believe in God? Have you made false judgments against your neighbor — in your family, your neighborhood, at work, in court, etc.? Have you slandered your best friend out of jealousy? Have you falsely accused an enemy? Have you betrayed a close friend? You must reconstruct it all, return everything. This concerns theft and lies.

But what about your other sins? Were you idolatrous? Adulterous? Proud, disrespectful? The list is long. Reconstruct the facts, count the people involved, go to them! Confess your wrongdoings, ask for forgiveness, repay, restore, heal, repair…

This text is an excerpt from the book “How to Commune with God?” written by Jean-Paul Marie (Pastor Samuel Binyou).

We invite you to read the following article: “MANASSEH’S RESTITUTION”.