Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-30
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM
MENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2.
Subject: Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus,
Luke xviii, 35, to Luke XIX, 10
Golden Text, Luke XIX, 10


Golden Text, Luke XIX, 10
Memory Verses, AZ, 43.
I. Bartimaeus cries aloud for
mercy Tvs. $500. 35. WAS come
nigh" When Jesus and His disci-
pies were entering Jericho they met
the blind men and Bartimaeus was
healed. Mark says it was when they
were leaving the city. Certain blind
man." Matthew says there were two.
SO. 1.-The multitude" In addi-
ton to the crowds that frequently
followed Jesus, there were many peo-
pie on their way to attend the Pass
over at Jerusalem. 81. Jesus of
Nazareth" So called because Naza-
reth was His home until He began
His active ministry
3S. HE cried" He had evident
ly heard of the fame of Jesus, and
how He could heal the blind. 1t is
the chance of lifetime; there is no
time to lose; in moment He will
have passed. "Son of David" With
the Jews this expression was applied
to the Messiah "Have mercy on
me-" The case of this blind man IL
Illustrates we'll the condition of a sim
ner and his efforts in coming to God
80. "Rebuked him." Whenever
soul begins to cry after Jesus for
light and salvation the world and the
devil join together to drown its cries
and force it to be silent "Cried-
more" He was in earnest, and OPP
position only caused 1t to increase
III. Jesus restores Bartimaeus'
sight Tvs. 40-43).
40 Jesus stood" The cry for
mercy will always cause the Saviour
to stop. He takes not another step;
this is the first thing to be attended
to. ITO be brought" He could have
healed his eyes at distance, but this
is an important case and He decides
to show His power before this whole
company. when he has come"
Mark tells us that in his haste to
reach Christ he cast away his gar
ment. Al. What wilt thou?"
Christ knew what he desired, but He
must know it from him; the divine
plan Is to ask if we would receive.
Lord" The Revised Version in
Mark renders this Rabboni-my Mas
ter. This was the highest title of
reverence
AZ. "Thy faith hath saved thee"
His faith was the medium through
which the blessings O: God were
brought to him. 1t was not his ear
nestness. or his prayers. but his faith
In Christ that was commended, and
yet carnestness and prayers are also
important. 43. And Immediately.
1t was not necessary to wait a long
time for a gradual healing, but in
stantly he saw. Followed Him."
AS disciple.
III. Zacchaeus overcomes Difficult
ties Tvs, 1-4).
I. PASSED through" "Was pass
ing through" R V. Zacchaeus
evidently lived In the city. Tidings
of the approach Of Christ and His
apostles must have preceded Him. 2.
"Zacchaeus." He was a Jew by birth
". 81, but because he had engaged
in business so infamous in the eyes
of the Jews he was considered as
mere heather ". -. Chief among
the publicans. At Jericho was To-
Gated one of the principal custom
houses. The trade in balsam was
extensive and Zacchacus was evident
" superintendent Of the tax collect
ors who had the oversight of the rev.
enue derived from that article. AS
a publican he was a religious outcast.
Rich" And like many rich men
had not always come honestly by his
money.
3. Sought to sec jesus" AT
this time Zacchaeus must have had
conviction of sin. He was not salts
fed with his riches and his dishon-
est, wicked life. Little of stature"
And could not see over the heads of
the multitude. 4. Ran before"
Laying aside his dignity as chief pub
lican.
w. Jesus abides with Zacchaeus
Tvs. SD. 5. "Jesus-saw him."
The truly divine part was that Jesus
fathomcd his heart and understood
its longing. "Zacchaeus." Jesus
called him by name, although He
had probably never met him in the
flesh before. Come down" Those
whom Christ calls must come down,
must humble themselves. Must
abide Christ invited Himself, not
doubling welcome. How long He
remained we do not know. 6. He
made HASTE etc. He had not ex-
pected to have the honor of being
noticed, much less to entertain the
Royal Guest.
:. when they saw it." The
crowd OF Jews murmured. II re-
quircd courage to meet the preju-
dices OF the nation, but Jesus always
had courage to do the right. ITO be
guest" Thus recognizing Zacchaeus
as an equal, socially.
V. Salvation comes to Zacchaeus
Tvs. 500.
s. THE half OF my goods" etc.
Some consider this to mean that he
had already done this, but it is far
more probable that he now deter
mines to use his property for God
and humanity. ''If-by false accu-
The "if' does not imply
doubt; he had taken money wrong
fully. "Fourfold." This restitution
the Roman laws required the tax
gatherers to make when it was
proved they had defrauded the peo-
pie. 3. Salvation come" FAC
chaeus was saved - delivered from
his past sins and made "a new Great
ure." 10. us come to seek" While
Zacchaeus was so DESTROYS of seeing
the Saviour, Jesus was more DESTROYS
to see and save him.