The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-09
LESSON STORY.


Jesus was now nearing Jerusalem. He
had arrived at Jericho. Here his company
was greatly augmented. Pilgrims from
Galilee and Perea by the side passes and
cross roads met at this central point. A
nultitudinous caravan, with picturesque
Accomplishments. The pilgrims as rule
were on foot, but some were mounted on
asses and camels. Some, no doubt, were
going to the capital with an eye for trade,
rather than with hearts bent on devotion;
for trade was brisk during the feast on
account of the large influx of foreign pill
grims. But the multitude in the main was
patriotic and religious. Of the appearance
Of Jesus in the concourse we are left to
conjecture. 1t is certain that he bore no
resemblance to an earthly king. A king
would have been mounted in chariot or
palanquin. He walked among the hum
blest of the pilgrims. He was the centre
Of interest for all beholders; yet he was
content to appear as wayfaring man.
Some of his followers thought he was 60
ing to his coronation. He knew he was
going to martyrdom.
The coming of Jesus made no little stir
in Jericho. The numerous priests dwell
ing there had long been perplexed by the
Prophet of Nazareth. He had so capti
waited the common people and had mani
tested such striking spiritual power, that
they were sometimes led to suspect that
he was the long-expected Messiah. But
he was, on the other hand, so utterly re-
gardless of the Pharisaic requirements, SO
intent upon the candor that exposed all
shams, that the priests, in consistency with
their professions, were forced to reject him.
Yet his fame could not be arrested. The
common people heard him gladly. AS he
approached, every inhabitant of the city
was eager to see him.
Among the most eager was Zaccheus.
He was the chief publican of the city, the
chief Roman tax gatherer. This was not,
for Zaccheus the Hebrew, reputable
business. 1t required sworn allegiance
to pagan Rome, the relentless oppressor
Of his people. 1t was pursuit inevitably
attended with extortions. He had roundly
bought the privilege of collecting the taxes.
He was left to his own discretion in indem-
nifying himself for his outlay. Publicans
were wont to extort more than was due
from the helpless subjects of Roman ra-
pacity. Zaccheus was presumably like his
class. He had in worldly riches thrived.
His thrift is evidence against his moral
integrity. He was held in deserved dis
repute by his Hebrew brethren; and he
e~aN~a1., x, all xxtsfk .,1,ar,
Romans. He was man of ability, else
he could neither have gained nor admins
tered his office. His dminutive stature,
no doubt, troubled his pride, but it did not
signify want of mental acuteness nsr want
Of force.
L. Zaccheus Desires to See
JeSuS,-vs. IA.
Why? He had frequently heard of the
Prophet of Nazareth; his fame had filled
the land. The fact that Jesus had at
Capernaum elevated Matthew the publ
can to an apostleship would naturally come
to his ears. He must have heard of the
new Teacher as having an altogether I'M
Pharisaic breadth of human compassion.
The stories Jesus told, the parallels, were
such as the common heart treasured, such
as rumor spread. The story Jesus recently
told of the Pharisee and the publican going
up to the temple to pray, and the Pharisee
in his boastful selfrighteousness being
unheard love, while the outcast publican,
in confessing himself a sinner, was divinely
approved, had no doubt come to Zaccheus'
ears and heart.
And Zaccheus, too, being an intelligent
man, was not satisfied in his heart. He
was spiritually lonely man. 1t must
have been 50. The increase of riches
could not increase his appetites. He had
personal use only for a small part of his
gains He could not, because he had in
telligence, be the one of whom Confucius
speaks, "a rich fool, a pig choked by,
his own fat The lonely publican had
thoughts thrust upon him concerning
things beyond the world.
Curiosity, mingled with moral longing
to which hope had hitherto been denied
caused him to seek Jesus. who he was.