Good question. The answer is: Jesus paid for your window before you broke it. Yes, you should be contrite, and offer an apology, and try not to break another one, but the cost and punishment for the window is already paid. To try to pay for a window that Jesus already paid for is to say to Jesus, “Your payment was not enough, I have to contribute, also.” This is not the way with God. Jesus paid for all the windows you will ever break.
When I pour my glass of Ruby Port tonight, I shall lift my glass in toast to your clear exposition! Thank you. ‘Here’s to windows ...’
This is NOT meant as a metaphor. I'm totally forgiven. But I think many, including the person picking up shards of glass from the carpet would think that that forgiveness (a) doesn't wipe out every debt, (b) actually prompts me to pay my debts.I meant a REAL window NOT a metaphorical one. True story: a girl drove into the corner of my fencing when she should have been looking at the road. She knocked the corner skew-wise. Doesn't she owe ME something?
Jesus paid for all the windows you will ever break.
So why does the judge down at General Dis'ric' Court say I have to make restitution? What, seriously, is the meaning of that? If I told Judge Barclay Jesus had already paid for the windows, he'd warn me and then I'd end up doing time for contempt or having a garnishment served on me or something.