The Penn's Grove record., 1914-04-24
1.-THE TRUTH
From Vantage Point Of the Bible
Man Gets Best View of
the Master. !

III 81
n FOR AMY reaso a man is DESTROYS
i or seeing God, though the motive be
no higher than that of curiosity, he
will find God looking for him.
Zaccheusl, being Of little stature.
climbed into a tree that he might see
the marvellous person whom all the
people followed. He sought to see who
he was-to have a look at the mere
outer man. He probably had no
thought of speaking to him or any de-
sire to be taught by him concerning
the nature of his mission.
Curiosity led him to seize the point
of vantage a seat in the tree afforded.
Just like those today who secure
Some favorable position from which
fthey a see a great general or a
president who SIS to pass that way"
they do not expect the great person
age to take notice OF them, and it Is
not probable that Zaccheus had expec-
tation of personal notice being ac-
corded to him.
Great must have been his astonish-
ment at hearing the words, "Zaccheus,
make haste and come down; for today
| must abide at thy house"
The Great Teacher approved the Gu
riosity that led Zaccheus to climb a
tree to see him.
Had the little man remained in the
crowd would he have been seen and
singled u for special honors?
Seek, and We Shall Find.
God can see the smallest man in the
greatest crowd, but he is looking for
those who are looking for him. He
does not arbitrarily force men to rec
ognize him. Seek me and ye shall
find me-" is the appointed way.
Men are not forced into the presence
Of God or into a position from which
they can see him. They must, like
~Zaecheus, climb into a tree or in some
other ordinary way seek a point of
vantage.
The sycamore tree for us is the
Bible. From it we get our first sight
of the Master.
Hearing and seeing the truth must
precede believing; acquaintanceship
must go before abiding in the house
together. We must use the externals
of religion in order to reach the inter-
nails. We must use the natural modes
provided for the discovery Of the
truth and not look for an immediate
omnipotent act to save us, indepen-
IDENTIFY of our desire and willingness to
see and know the passing Lord.
Zaccheus was physically short in
stature and he supplemented his def
cheney by climbing into a tree.
We are spiritually of little stature,
and 70 must supplement that def
cheney by using some natural point Of
vantage. We must get where we can
have a view, eve if it at first only
a superficial view, as it was in the
case Of Zaccheus.
Standing on the Bible, one has a
higher elevation and clearer view of
the Lord than any sycamore tree af-
fords. But it is something more than
a view from a point of vantage that is
needed.
Many saw him as he passed by,
never to return. OF what good was
their opportunity if they had no inter-
est or desire to go closer and to abide
with him?
Many now see him, not in the streets
of Jericho. but in the pages of revela-
ton, but to them There is no beauty
in him, that they should desire him"
and what ayaileth it?
Always Looking for Faithful.
climbing up into a tree" and re-
naming there until the Lord has
passed by is a small return for the op-
p~ortunity enjoyed, when so much was
offered to those who would make
haste and come down"
1t is not to be supposed that FAC
cheus was the only one who sought a
favorable position to see the wonder
full sight of one who was everywhere
attracting the multitudes to his pres
ence.
How many or how few of such were
1uAuSuC6u NY any ulSU6T lGSlIuS lHdu
that Of idle curiosity we do not know,
but we are sure that all whose souls
even dimly sought to see who he
really was were not overlooked. He is
w and always looking for those
who are inclined to receive him.
AS he acted in Zaccheus' case he
will act in every like instance. Every
one who, from the point of vantage.
accessible to. all through the revela-
lions of the Holy Scriptures. is seek
ing to see and know who the Lord Is
will hear the welcoming words, Make
haste and come down; for today /
must abide at thy house" Then sure
ly you will make haste and come down
and receive him joyfully.
zaccheus opened the door of this
house and he abode with him; and this
is yer his attitude toward men.
Behold, l stand at the door. and
knock; if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, l will come in to him.
and will sup with him. and he With
me-"