The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-06-11

the righteous but sinners" Mark am.
The first section OF our lesson Is the
beginning of new paragraph tsec
II. W and contains one OF the Mas
ter's bestknown parallels. lmmedi-
atcly preceding this is the parable of
the unjust Judge and the importunate
widow We are plainly told w. 81
why the Master spako this parable.
II Is easy to say that those who trust
ed in their own righteousness and set
all others at naught" Or. W were the
Pharisees. but such is not the case;
and this parable In warning TO ue. 4
lest we also trust our own righteous
moss lisa 60 g. Using this particu-
lar class az background. Jesue
paints. In words Of simple grandeur,
n picture quite familiar throughout the
ages. In 1t he reveals the falseness OF
human standards and declares the
judgment Of heaven. The contrast h.
vivid. Let us look at CD the Phari.
see. The Illuminating phrase IL In the
words he prayed with himself
". III. SYSTEMATICALLY the Pharisees
separated themselves from their fol-
low men and this separation seems to
have extended even into his prayer
life. and he II Withdrawn from God
also. This IL an appalling picture
Of the man who trusts only himself
Examine his prayer and we soc the
supposed prayer h really a paean OF
solf-oNaltatius
Humility Of Heart.
t2l The Publican regarded himself
as the sinner" ". 10 r. V. marg).
lie knew be was a great, an irrclig-
ious offender against Law and grace.
lie had sacrificed everything TO ac-
quire money lie comes with no out
ward show except an abundant evil
dcnce Of the shame and humility Of
his heart Ne also was excluded from
men but not from God. Burdened
with the sense Of his sin. he casts him
self upon the mercy OF God. He iH
absolutely devoid Of any trust In him
eclf. any contempt for others. and
makes straight. earnest. passionate
abandonment of himself and his need
90 God lie goes away Justified
Judged riRht Why? Because bC
had taken the rikat place, a sinners
place before God, and found pardon.
~. The Second Section is a story
and deal with an individual ease. Zac-
ohcus. who was chief Publican
Jesus sought him tsec Golden Text,
whereas Zacchcus was animated by
curiosity. aud the writer informs us
ho was small OF stature, hence the
necessity uf climbing the sycamore
tree. He went up the tree because
OF curiosity he came down because
OF conviction lie wanted 20 see this
man in the center of the crowd and
was amazed "a hear Jesus call him by
name
Must Weld Wealth.
Zacchcus was rich. dishonest, dissat-
isGed, but desperately In earnest. and
a man OF prompt decision. The esti-
nation OF his fellow citizens is indi-
Gated by v T. Notwithstanding all OF
this zaccheus was not 80 welded TO
his money as to let II keep him out
of the kingdom. In chapter Is we
read of the rich man who lacked one
thing" lie was lost-"went away
because he would not yield his wealth
(see also Is 20, 27l. What took place
within the house OF Zaccheus We are
not told, but for the Master TO enter
was looked upon either as anaalnf
Ignorance of Zaccheus character "a
else extreme carelessness conceruino
ha. 81 Ia ahar <t
Jesus was dealing with one man, not
the multitude, hence he leaves them TO
their amazement While this is true,
yet we can surmise something of that
interview by the result ". 81 for Fac
cheus seems TO have made a public
avowal of his ethical and moral
change OF heart. Note the steps:
% lie sought TO see Jesus" John
3:1i. Is: lisa. IL ~. (2) lie was very
much In earnest. climbed a sycamore
tree" Luke 1894 (3) He made no
delay, make haste" lisa $50. The
result was that of great blessing TO
the people and JOY In the heart OF
Zaccheus. ca He was obedient, Joy
ously and promptly. The genuineness
OF his transformation was evidenced
by the way It affected his pocketbook.
lie made abundant restitution and
gave bountifully TO the poor. The
love of God shed abroad I'm the heart
of q misery. selfish man or church
will promote honesty both TO God and
man.
From the combined parable and
story we can read the lesson that Je-
sus Is the friend of sinners and not
OF sin.
Thus the friend of sinners seeks and
saves men. He sees the acts and the
attitude of men and Is ready to justify
those whose attitude Ii that OF humil-
ity and supplication He seeks men
even as he sought Zaccheus. and as
he saves he produces In them those
fruits OF righteousness which are the
evidence and demonstration OF their
salvation. The scribes and the Phart
sees saw Jesus eating with the publ
cans and expressed this disappearing
surprise only 20 receive his rebuke.
They that are whole have no need Of
-. h..s -.