The Tupelo journal., 1906-08-31
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Sunday School Lessonior Sept.2. 1906
Specially Prepared for This Paper.
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

Memory verses, %, 43.
GOLDEN TEXT.-."The Son of man is
come to seek and to save that which was
lost. 1910.
TIME.-The last of March. A. d. 20;
not long after the last lesson.
PLACE.--Jericho, Is or 20 miles north
east of jerusalem, in the valley of the
Jordan.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
v. 35. "A certain blind man" One
well known to the people of that To-
cality. Begging" The usual occupa-
ton of the blind.
VS.. Sc, 81. Hearing the multitude"
His ears, made keen as the ears OF
the blind commonly are, was quick
to discern that a great crowd was
passing. Evidently Bartimaeus had
heard of Jesus, how he had restored
sight to other blind men, and he felt
that now was his opportunity.
V. SO. "He cried" He could not
see Jesus, but he was determined that
Jesus should hear and thereby be
drawn to see him. "Son of David"
Perhaps the blind man recognized
Jesus as the Messiah, the descendant
of great King David; for of this CON-
ing One it had been foretold that he
should open the eyes of the blind
Elsa. 20: IS; 1915; 42:7), and this
Jesus had proved able to do. Have
mercy on me-" This was his custom
airy cry, but in the present instance
the mercy craved was not aims, but
the restoration of sight.
V. SO. "They which went before"
Those who were in advance Of Jesus.
"Rebuked him hold his peace
They tried to make him cease his
cries, deeming it unfit that a common
beggar should thus intrude upon n
for whom they had great respect.
Even to this day there are some to
hinder those who seek Jesus.
v. 40. Jesus stood" Nothing is
too much trouble for Jesus, if he a
but help a single soul. Commanded
him to be brought" To the calling
man, the calling Jesus responded.
V. Al. What wilt thou?' 1t is
Gods way to ask us to express to
him our desires. He might supply
many of our needs without our ask
ing, but we are hidden. I'm everything
by prayer let your requests be
made known unto God" Lord" or
Master There is love and devo-
ton in the title he chooses to adj
dress Jesus. THAT l might receive
my sight This was the one object
of his desire.
V. AZ. Jesus said" According to
Matthew, as Jesus spoke he touched
the eyes of Bartimaeus and his COM
panion, and Immediately sight was
restored. THY faith hath saved thee"
1t was divine power that wrought the
cure, but the man had put himself
in connection with that power by his
loving confidence in Jesus.
v. 43. Received his sight" The
restoration was immediate and COM
plete.
V. 2. "~Zacchaeus." His name is a
Hebrew one, signifying pure, hence
undoubtedly the man was a Jew.
Concerning his character previous to
this meeting with Jesus, most COM
mentator believe that it had been
all that served to render publicans
odious to their fellow men. Chief
among the %publicans. And he
was rich" His position was in itself
toward unlawful gains were very
great.
V. 3. Sought to see Jesus who he
was" He had heard much of Christ.
Curiosity was, we may believe, the
only motive in his desire to see
Jesus.
V. 4. Ran and climbed" He
resorted to the usual devices boys
follow to enable them to see a pass
ing pageant.
V. 5. Said, Zacchaeus, come down"
We need not wonder how One who
could read the mans heart knew
also his lame. To-day l must abide
at thy house. To invite ones self
thus was in perfect keeping with the
custom of %orientals, where there is
little accommodation such as public
inns for travellers.
V. 6. HE made haste, came down,
received HIM" He who had overcome
so many obstacles in order to catch
a glimpse, is quite prepared to eager
ly and joyously seize the opportunity
for closer acquaintance.
V. Z. "They all murmured." The
feeling of the Jews against the pub
licans was very strong.
V. s. "Zacchaeus stood" Stood
forth as if to perform a formal act
before his family and guests. "The
half of my goods 1 give to the poor"
He purposes to begin at once to dis
tribute among the poor the one-half
of his present possessions. IF / have
taken false accusation" By his
tone he confesses that investigation
will reveal that in collecting taxes
he has often exacted more than his
due. Il restore him %fourfold." For
a last like this the Jewish law re-
quired restitution with one-fifth added
to the principal (Num. SD; Zacchae-
us judged himself as if convicted of
theft Eek. 22:1).
Practical Points.
v. 40. Jesus heartily welcomes
every seking one.-Isa. 65: "a.
V. Al. Each has need to call upon
Jesus tt remove spiritual blindness.
-Ps. 1918.
v. 2. Worldly wealth consecrated to
God becomes a great power for good.
II Tim. GIT, IS.
v. 8. A disposition to seek Jesus is
proof that Jesus is seeking u.s.