THE HEART OF Zacchaeus shone brightly before the darkness of the crowd…
He desired to see Jesus and was rewarded by the Lord. He was benevolent, a trait in which the Lord delights. He was willing to give half of his goods to the poor. It had not been his custom before, but now he was willing to do so. One has to wonder how many in the crowd would have been willing to do the same. It is not how much money one has; God is concerned with what we do with what we have. The widow with the two mites was rich before God, while the rich young ruler’s wealth kept him from God. One does not need a million dollars to be covetous. Most men are very capable with a hundred.
Zacchaeus’ willingness to repent was evident from his new benevolent attitude. Again, how many in the crowd would have been willing to do the same? If he had taken from men falsely, he was willing to make it right. It might be thought that he should not need to do this, but the law of Moses made provisions for sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:2, 27-28). Zacchaeus could have had others collecting taxes in his name, and they may have defrauded their brethren. This would explain his plea, “If I have defrauded anyone…” Whatever the reason for the statement, it seems clear he had not gotten his riches by deceit. And if he had done so through ignorance, he was willing to correct it.
Under the law, if a man stole an ox or a sheep, he was to restore five oxen or four sheep (Exodus 22:1; 2 Samuel 12:6). Zacchaeus was not guilty of stealing sheep or oxen, but fraud was also against the Law of Moses (Leviticus 6:5; Number 5:7). In such cases, the law required the person to restore the principal and add one fifth to it. Zacchaeus was willing to go the “extra mile” to correct any wrong he may have committed. He was a wonderful example of a man with a pure heart. He sought to see the Savior, was willing to give half his goods to the poor, to repent of any wrong, and to restore fourfold if he had sinned against any. Eric Owens, Dub McClish editor, “Jesus Enters Jerusalem And Pronounces Its Doom,” Studies in Luke–The Schertz Lectures, ’03, 288
“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’” Luke 19:8
Mike Benson