Luke 19:1-10 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.… I. THE FOUNDATION OF THIS DUTY. 1. The nature of justice, which consists in rendering to every one what belongs to him. 2. Holy Scripture (Exodus 22.; Leviticus 6.; Numbers 5.). 3. Restitution is a duty so indispensable, that without it there is no salvation. Tell me, can we be in a slate of salvation, when we have no love to God, and no love to our neighbour? But the man who refuses to make restitution loves not God, for he despises His laws and tramples upon His authority; nor does he love his neighbour, for he voluntarily persists in wronging him, and withholding from him his rights. II. WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS DUTY? 1. We must examine with care whether we have ever wronged our neighbour, and in how many modes we have done it. Allege not for your excuse, example, custom, the necessity of acting like others. All this is of no avail now in the sight of the Omniscient — will be of no avail hereafter at the bar of God. 2. Restitution should be prompt. "I will, at some future time, make restitution." But when? You as yet know not the time, and perhaps it may never arrive. 3. Restitution must be full and entire. Fearful lest he should not fully recompense them, his generous heart makes the resolution, and his piety is ready instantly to execute it.In view of this subject I remark — 1. How small is the number of those who are saved! We know that thousands of frauds are daily committed, and yet how few acts of restitution do we witness! 2. What great discoveries shall be made at the day of judgment. 3. This subject teaches us the nature of true religion. It consists in benevolence to man as well as love to God, and assures us that without the former we can never exercise the latter. 4. This subject should lead us to avoid the very beginning of sin, and to pay the most scrupulous attention to the duties of truth and justice. Thus we shall be prevented from defrauding our fellow-men; thus, if necessity ever requires it, we shall be able easily to make full restitution. 5. Show by your conduct, ye who have in any degree defrauded your fellow-men, that you feel the force of conscience and the truth of God; imitate Zaccheus, and make restitution. (S. K. Kolloch, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. |
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