Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord,
"Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.
And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."
(Luke 19:8)
Zaccheus was a wee little man. We know the song. We learned it as kids going through Sunday School. But what more do we see about Zaccheus other than his short stature?
He was a tax collector in Jericho. He was very rich, as many tax collectors were. He had extorted more than what he was authorized. He admits as much when he promises to repay fourfold, echoing King David's words after he heard Nathan the prophet's parable about Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:6). This repayment was in line with the Mosaic law (Exodus 22:1).
Jesus forgives Zaccheus all of his sins. But does Jesus say that he doesn't have to pay the people back? No. That promise was made by a forgiven sinner in sheer gratitude for all that Jesus had done in forgiving his sins. Salvation came to Zaccheus' house because of his repentance. Salvation came through Jesus Christ. He is your salvation too. Amen.
