The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-15
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON NOTES.
Dee. 10, 1900; Luke xix, LILO
Zaccheus the Publican.


with drawn sword; 1sraels march about the city
to ram's-horn accompaniment; Achan's trouble
some wedge OF gold and Babylonish garment:
Elisha healing the spring of waters the school
OF the prophets; to speak of the Oriental
splendor Of Herod and his son Archelaus, But
for ethical purposes. every other incident con-
nected with this City of Palms must give place
- Jesus interview with Zaccheus. II
was a busy day in that commercial city. the
revenues OF which were esteemed a gift a Roman
triumvir might appropriately bestow upon an
Egyptian queen as a love-token- singing
pilgrim caravan from Galilee and Perea was in
passage for the Passover at Jerusalem The
presence in it OF the wonder-worker who had so
lately raised Lazarus gave an unusual interest
TO what otherwise familiar incident. AS
IL was. the whole populace, poured out, ana
hedged the street either hand. The
chief collector OF revenue heard that Jesus was
passing. AS he sat there at the receipt of Gus
toms. with accounts spread out before him. there
was a tumult OF conflicting emotions in his
heart We may almost hear his soliloquy
Jesus, who spoke the parable of the Pharisee
and publican, who has eaten with puolicans
who has ordained one to be His apostle; Jesus
so near, and for the last time, too, for the Jews
will surely kill him on this visit TO Jerusalem-l
will Jesus,' On that resolution soufs
destiny turns. Day-book and ledger are closed
office locked, and Zaccheus sallies forth
less resolute SOUL and less fertile in resource,
would have retreated before such hindrances. An
impenetrable human wall: nobody inclined to
show the odious tax collector slightest courtesy;
rather to improve the opportunity to elbow and
jostle him. But Zaccheus remembers the Egyp-
ton fg-tree far down and in the middle OF the
thoroughfare He runs and climbs into the low
fork Of the tree. Doing so. he violates the East
ern motion of decorum. and makes himself
more than ever the target for ghe and epithet
But what does that amount to. so only he sees
the friend of publieans? One smile from Hin
will repay ALL AS the confused sounds of
the approaching throng grow more distinct, 50
does hcly purpose in the heart of Zaccheus
1t might express itself in the words
IF Jesus only calls me will for
sake all &c follow Him" His master passion.
avaricc, most subtle and imperious Of all.
has received its death blow Before he
ever left the fork OF the tree zaccheus was far
beyond the rich ruler. No need OF Jesus testing
him with the command go sell all and give
ALL Can this man, whose life has been one
of social ostracism, believe his ears? In de-
fance. of popular feeling and established ell
cuette, does Jesus invite himself to his home!
VIII the great Rabbi actually enter house,
the threshold of which no self-respectirg He
brew has ever crossed? Fears he no ceremonial
defilement? . 1t is no mistake. Jesus is
looking up with smile of recognition and eyes
of love. In a transport of Joy this outcast son
of Abraham desoends and embraces, in all the
fervor of new affection, his self-invited guest
Arm in arm they walk toward his tabooed
home, while the opprobrium that once rested on
Zaccheus falls with augmented weight upon Je-
sus Above the confused and threatening roar
of general dsapproval can be heard at times
the clear and ringing indictment: He hath
gene to be guest with man that is sinner
In the portal of his lordly manor Zacche-
us pauses. He is grieved at the imputaton cast
upon his new-found Master-grleved that ne
himself is cause of it. He stands forth and
with of hand asks the attention OF the
ill-humored throng. In substance he says; You
call sinner. have been such. Having lost
all prestige among you by accepting Office under
an alien government, having no longer any repu-
tation to support. L have yielded to the insid-
ious alurement Of my odious position. and have
at times made false dispositions increase my
revenue. i call you 70 witness that in every
such instance 1 will make fourfold restitution.
When this is completed will give the half OF the
remainder TO the poor You say Jesus is going TO
be guest of a sinner. Granted But not of an
unrepentant sinner, revsling in ill-gotten gains.
sinner. yes; but one who brings forth fruits
meet for repentance" As IL to seal this
protestation with divine authority Jesus lifts
His hands and solemnly declares absclution.
Saved Saved. Both he and his house; be-
he is a of Abraham. not only by ma
ture. but by grace through faith. He proves his
lineage from the father Of all the faithful. You
have called him sinner Well, the very end
and aim CT my mission is to seek and to save
sinners. 1 call you to witness my success in
this instance"
THE STUDY LAMP.
Zaccheus was the Benedict Arnold OF Jericho
and all that region. He esteemed a traitor
to his country. a renegade from his church.
This incident is full of cheer to sociai outcasts
whether such justly or unjustly; they are still
sought of Jesus. His church Is to be
like Jesus self in its oblviousness to public
contempt of individuals. Whether that con-
tempt has any foundation in fact or not. il is
still immortal soul. which Jesus loved, for
which he died. Let Jesus church, like Jesus
self. still seek and save the lost. He resoutely
ignored all distinctions OF social caste when
soul was to be won. We can enter into
social relations with sinners Il am not sure but
must enter into such relations), when the
end and aim OF it is that we may them.
A single courtesy will do what an age of self
righteous disdain will not. 1t will sometimes
convert sinner from the OF his way.
Curiosity may be means OF grace. 1t is
a good thing when the stoId indifference of
community can be broken up. and people In
cned to say with Moses burning bush.
II will turn aside and what this thing is
Grace was magnifed In the salvation of
Zaccheus. He hardened moneys getting
man of the world. AS vallings finely says Tho
corrupt child of age of corruption and fraud:
stepped in atmosphere OF oppression, social
suspicion. national aversion; confronted. for the
first time in his life, with absolute personal
honesty, transparent truth. and single minded
ness-heart and life were changed a stroke
before the burning gaze OF incarnate honor"
Zaccheus drove the nails into the coffin
of his dead vice when he made fourfold restitu-
tion and gave half TO the poor. Sacred arithme-
tic this; heavenly multiplication and divisionl
The camel went through the needles eye. A
rich got into the kingdom A public extor-
toner became the free-handed alms-giyer And
the cold heart of rapacious publican glowed
with a OBJECTION After assignment
what? zaccheuss proposition reported on
change to-day would produce a sensation. No
debtor / know OF proposes TO revive outlawed
accounts with a view 10 paying them No as
signor. far I know. having retrieved his
relied with Yarmouth. We read II at break
fast together, and we roared, fairly roared
over IL.
II was also very much amused at that
cakewalk story. A cakewslk, you know. is
~ a. them Il