Why was it not enough for Zacchaeus that Jesus came into his house?
Why did Zacchaes feel that he needed to pay back everything and 'reverse' his sins?
Luke 19:8
ESV - 8 And Zacchaeus 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.
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Asked January 30 2014
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Cosima Conen
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Sung Park
I think the question, "Why was it not enough..." presumes that Zacchaeus had to do certain things to receive forgiveness/salvation. The passage seems to show that Zacchaeus' regeneration seems to take place from the moment he felt the need to see Jesus even by climbing up the sycamore tree, which is an undignified act of a grown man. Jesus had to notice the changing of Zacchaeus' heart and told him, "I must stay at your house today". Notice Zacchaeus "came down and received him JOYFULLY" (v. 6) a clear sign of a changed heart. So when Zacchaeus declared that he would give half of his possessions and repay fourfold to those whom he defrauded, it was the fruit of his faith rather than the prerequisite. Neither charity nor honest living, as declared by Zacchaeus, is enough to earn salvation but only by repentance and faith in Christ alone.
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