The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-06-09

LESSON TEXT-Luke 1874; 19:1-10
GOLDEN TEXT came not to call
the righteous but sinners" Mark 2:17.
The first section of our lesson is the
beginning of a new paragraph (see
R. W and contains one of the Mas
ter's best-known parallels. lmnedl-
ately preceding this is the parable OF
the unjust judge and the importunate
widow. We are plainly told ". 81
why the Master spake this parable.
1t is easy to say that those who trust
ed in their own righteousness and set
all others at naught" Or. VI were the
Pharisees, but such is not the case;
and this parable is warning to US,
lest we also trust our OVID righteous
ness Qsa. 64:6). Using this particu-
lar class as background, Jesus
paints, in words of simple grandeur,
picture quite familiar throughout the
ages. In it he reveals the falseness OF
human standards and declares the
Judgment. of heaven. The contrast is
vivid. Let US look at ~ the Phari-
see. The Illuminating phrase is in the
words "he prayed with himself"
". III. Ostentatiously the Pharisees
separated themselves from their fell
low men and this separation seems to
have extended even into his prayer
life, and he is withdrawn from God
also. This is an appalling picture
of the man who trusts only himself.
Examine his prayer and we see the
supposed prayer is really paean OF
self-exaltation.
Humility of Heart.
(2) The Publican regarded himself
as "the sinner" ". Is R. v. marg.).
He knew he was a great, an irrelig-
| ious offender against law and grace
He had sacrificed everything to &C
quire money. He comes with no out
ward show except an abundant evi
dence of the shame and humility OF
his heart. He 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 is
absolutely devoid of any trust in him
| self, any contempt for others, anC
makes a straight, earnest, passionate
abandonment of himself and his neeC
! to God. He goes away Justified
| Judged right. Why? Because he
had taken the right place, a sinner:
place before God, and found pardon
II. The Second Section is story
/ and deals with an individual case, FAC
cheus, who was a chief Publican.
Jesus sought him (see Golden Text
| whereas Zaccheus was animated b!
curiosity, and the writer informs III
he was small of stature, hence thu
necessity of climbing the sycamor,
tree. He went up the tree because
of curiosity, he came down because
of conviction. He wanted to see thi
man in the center of the crowd ant
was amazed to hear Jesus call him b,
name.
Must Yield Wealth.
Zaccheus was rich, dishonest, dissat
isfied, but desperately in earnest, an
man of prompt decision. The est
nation of his fellow-citizens is ind
Gated by " T. Notwithstanding all G
this Zaccheus was not so welded t
! his money as to let it keep him GU
of the kingdom. In chapter Is W
read of the rich man who lacked on
thing" He was lost-"went away
because he would not yield his wealt
(see also 1926, 27). What took plac
within the house of Zaccheus we ar
not told, but for the Master to ente
was looked upon either as amazin
ignorance of Zaccheus, character c
else extreme carelessness concernin
the maintenance of his own characte
Jesus was dealing with one man, ne
: the multitude, hence he leaves them
their amazement., While this is tru
yet we can surmise something of ths
5 interview by the result ". 81 for Ia
/ cheus seems to have made a publ
: ayowal of his ethical and NOR;
change of heart. Note the steps
% He sought to see Jesus" job
3:14. Is; lisa. 1922. CD He was vel