Recompense means to make amends to someone for loss or harm suffered or effort made; to compensate. In the Old French recompenser-is to 'do a favor to requite (make an appropriate return for) a loss.' As you can see, making amends requires more than an apology. Making amends means to DO SOMETHING in order to make up for the wrong inflicted upon someone; e.g. reparations or compensation. Sometimes 'sorry' is not enough.
In Luke 19, Jesus encounters Zacchaeus the tax collector, who was so short in stature that he climbed up into a tree just so he could see the Master. That tactic must have worked, as Jesus spotted him immediately and invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house for the night. Jewish tax collectors in that day were deemed corrupt traitors and sinners for extorting money for Rome from their kinsmen and
skimming profit off the top for their own personal gain. The Jews didn't want Jesus hanging with Zacchaeus, who defended himself:Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (vs 8)
Zacchaeus knew his guilt and was willing to do more than just apologize. He was prepared to make it right; to divest himself of the wealth he had gotten by unjust means. He would go above and beyond the price of any offense! Repentance and restoration sometimes include the the ACTION of recompense. It's a Biblical concept, not just Step #8 of the 12-Step recovery process. Making amends costs! It can validate and relieve the offended party. It says you get how much what was done or omitted cost them emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically, financially, etc. It can be a pathway to reconciliation.
Jesus said to 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 the lost.” (vs. 9-10) Jesus knew all about redemption: He had come all the way from Heaven to reclaim us. He would soon pay a price for the sin of mankind that He did not owe to regain sons and daughters back to the Father. Zacchaeus, in his willingness to recompense his wrongs, demonstrated reparation- to actually REPAIR what has been damaged, wounded, or broken. Jesus did that for Zacchaeus - restoring him to the family of Israel. He will do it for anyone that comes to Him for salvation.
What about that situation you're in? You might already be a believer in Jesus, but there could be an issue in your life that calls for recompense. You may need it...or you may need to give it, but it could repair what's been hurting for a long while! Yes, forgiveness should take place whether or not we give or receive recompense, but what great love, humility and understanding making amends shows!
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