How does Leviticus 6:5 connect with Jesus' teachings on reconciliation? Leviticus 6:5—The Command to Restore “He must restore it in full, add a fifth of its value to it, and give it to its owner on the day he presents his guilt offering.” • Full restitution: the offender returns exactly what was taken. • Additional 20 percent: tangible evidence of remorse and the costliness of sin. • Same day as the sacrifice: reconciliation with people is inseparable from reconciliation with God. The Principle Behind the Verse • Sin always has a relational fallout; God requires the wronged party to be made whole. • Worship without restitution is unacceptable—offenders cannot approach the altar until relationships are set right. • The extra fifth shows that reconciliation involves generosity, not bare-minimum compliance. Jesus Echoes the Same Heart Matthew 5:23-24—“First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Luke 19:8-9—Zacchaeus voluntarily pledges fourfold restitution; Jesus declares, “Today salvation has come to this house.” Matthew 18:15—Private, proactive confrontation aims to “win your brother.” Key overlap: genuine relationship repair precedes or accompanies worship. Side-by-Side Snapshot • Leviticus 6:5: Restore + add 20% → then offer the sacrifice. • Matthew 5:23-24: Reconcile → then offer the gift. Both passages insist that vertical fellowship with God waits for horizontal reconciliation with others. Practical Takeaways • Identify any wrongs we can tangibly fix—return, repay, replace, restore. • Add the “extra fifth” principle: go beyond mere repayment to demonstrate grace. • Act quickly; Zacchaeus and Leviticus both treat reconciliation as same-day business. • Guard our worship life—unresolved offenses hinder fellowship with the Lord. Why It Still Matters • God’s character never changes; He values restored relationships. • Obedience in restitution showcases the gospel’s power to mend what sin has broken. • A community that practices prompt, generous reconciliation reflects Christ to a watching world. |
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